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Siemens, the leading global authority in defining the voice component of the HomeRF integrated voice and data wireless networking standard, and Proxim, Inc., the leader in wireless broadband networking, today announced the industry's first public HomeRF voice call demonstration. The integrated voice capability will enable high-quality voice calls and unified voice-data messaging over broadband services, opening up new communications options for consumers.

With HomeRF 2.0's new voice capability, broadband service providers will be able to offer consumers fast Internet access and the ability to make calls over their broadband connections -- calls that sound as good as the calls made over their phone lines. And because HomeRF is wireless, consumers can do all this from anywhere in the home or yard. HomeRF 2.0 allows consumers to securely and easily share Internet access on PCs, cordless phones, handheld devices and other Internet appliances in their homes without wires.

"One of the greatest things about the integration of toll-quality voice into the HomeRF wireless networking technology is that we can do it at a consumer price point today,'' said Kevin Duffy, vice president of Home Networking for Siemens. "The long-held promise of voice-data convergence and unified messaging is now becoming a reality for consumers -- easy to install, high quality, high performance home communications.''

"This technology has the ability to change the way we use and see phones in the home,'' said HomeRF Working Group (HRFWG) chairperson Ken Haase. "HomeRF has the potential to become the worldwide cordless phone standard with its ability to integrate voice, data and entertainment on the handset. Siemens and Proxim are helping to make that a reality and accelerate the technological developments.''

The demonstration, which consists of a voice call from a Siemens cordless handset through a Proxim Voice Data Module (VDM) gateway to a standard phone line, validates the HomeRF voice technology from the silicon through the system architecture. Combining four dedicated channels of high quality digital voice with 10 Mbps data transmissions in a single wireless protocol enables an entirely new generation of voice-data applications and services. Flexible and extensible voice-data applications are in development for PCs, Web pads and many other devices in home and small office networks. Telephone carriers, home automation companies and independent software vendors can leverage and expand these applications for advanced services that bring value to customers.

HomeRF supports CLASS service features like call waiting, caller ID, forwarding to individual handsets, distinctive ringing, 911 breakthrough and more on an interoperable basis by providing a standard specification designed to move DECT forward to worldwide application with data and streaming media support at 10 Mbps and beyond. HomeRF is the only wireless home networking standard that provides for simultaneous support of up to eight toll-quality voice connections, eight prioritized streaming media sessions and multiple Internet and network resource connections at broadband speeds.

HRFWG is comprised of a promoter group that includes Compaq, Motorola, National Semiconductor and Proxim, in addition to Siemens. The promoter group reflects the broad range of applications for HomeRF technology by extending beyond PC companies to now include consumer electronics, semiconductor and cordless voice technology representation, thus further strengthening HomeRF as the front-runner of wireless home networking.

Siemens intends to begin field trials with broadband carriers in Q4 2001 and release product to retail business partners mid-year 2002.

About The HomeRF Working Group
Launched in March 1998, the Home Radio Frequency Working Group (HRFWG) has developed a single specification for a broad range of interoperable consumer devices. HomeRF is an open industry specification that allows PCs, peripherals, cordless telephones and other consumer electronic devices to share and communicate voice and data in and around the home without the complication and expense associated with running new wires. HomeRF-compliant products operate in the license-free 2.4GHz frequency band and utilize frequency-hopping spread spectrum RF technology for secure and robust wireless communications.

Membership in the group includes more than 50 companies made up of leading companies across the PC, consumer electronics, networking, peripherals, communications, software, retail channel, home control and semiconductor industries worldwide. 

About Siemens Information and Communication Mobile
The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers, cordless and corded phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes the complete range of mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Applications cover UMTS services for Unified Messaging, Location Based Services and Mobile Payment. For the fiscal year 2000 (which ended September 30, 2000), IC Mobile recorded sales of $8.23 billion and EBIT of $693 million. The group employs 27,450 employees worldwide. 

About Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a leading global electronics and engineering company. It generated worldwide sales of $73.8 billion in fiscal 2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) and employs over 460,000 people in 193 countries. The United States is Siemens' largest market, with sales in excess of $16 billion and over 80,000 employees. Siemens is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions in the information and communications, medical, power, automation and control, transportation and lighting sectors.

About Proxim
Proxim, Inc., the pioneer in wireless broadband networking, has over 15 years of experience designing and building wireless broadband networking solutions for the home, enterprise and service provider markets. The Symphony(TM) product family offers easy-to-use, inexpensive wireless networking for homes. The Farallon(TM) product family provides a broad range of Ethernet, HPNA and wireless solutions for small businesses and schools. The Harmony(TM) product family provides long-term investment protection for enterprises through the industry's first multi-standard architecture designed to work with any wireless technology. Harmony also offers a broad range of design-in modules for OEMs. The Stratum(TM) product family offers a range of broadband access solutions and building-to-building networking connectivity for enterprises and service providers. Proxim is a member of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance and a Promoter of the Home Radio Frequency Working Group along with Compaq, Intel, Siemens, Motorola, National Semiconductor and other leaders in the wireless market. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. with offices globally. 

For more information please contact:

HomeRF	http://www.homerf.org
Siemens	http://www.icm.siemens.com
Proxim	http://www.proxim.com