Comarco and Ascom Establish Alliance to Develop, Market Wireless Quality of Service Measurement Systems
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LAKE FOREST, Calif. and BERNE, Switzerland - November 9, 2006 - Comarco
(NASDAQ: CMRO) Wireless Test Solutions, an industry-leading supplier of wireless test systems for field applications, and Ascom (SWX: ASCN), the leading specialist in wireless onsite communication solutions, today announced that the two companies have formed a cooperative alliance to develop and market 3G and 4G wireless network Quality of Service, optimization, and test measurement systems.
This alliance will create a global leader by positioning the two companies to capitalize on the increasing interest of wireless carriers in improved Quality of Service, as well as the expected deployment of more advanced, high-capacity next-generation broadband wireless networks. The two companies'
combined product portfolio supports every major air interface worldwide.
Serving a total installed base of approximately 1,500 systems in more than 100 countries, these systems are used to improve wireless Quality of Service.
With the considerable synergies that exist within the two companies' technology and intellectual property portfolios, Comarco and Ascom will co-develop advanced test and measurement systems and solutions for 3G and 4G wireless standards, accelerating the availability of upgrades to existing systems while enabling the rapid deployment of new products. The companies will also share sales and support resources on a global basis.
"Each successive generation of wireless technology has brought increased complexity to the process of measuring and improving a network's quality of service," said Tom Franza, CEO of Comarco. "This alliance with Ascom will allow us better serve our customers by improving our ability to bring new technologies and upgrades to market more rapidly. In addition, we expect to exploit synergies in product development while enhancing our focus on customer support and service. Many of our customers have a global presence and with this alliance, we will be able to address their needs both from a technical and a business perspective."
"Comarco's proven expertise in CDMA technologies and engineering optimization, including TD SCDMA and WCDMA, compliments Ascom's expertise in Audio and Video Quality algorithm development and its leadership role with the bodies that set international wireless standards," said Rudolf Hadorn, CEO of Ascom. "We believe this alliance will allow us to jointly promote and accelerate the availability of industry standards for the Global Quality of Service testing marketplace, and we are excited about the enhanced capabilities we can provide to our growing installed base of customers by working with Comarco."
About Ascom
Ascom is an international solution provider with comprehensive technological know-how in Mission-Critical Communication. The company concentrates on the core areas of Wireless Solutions (high-value, customer-specific on-site communications solutions) and Security Solutions (applications for security, communication, automation and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions and the army). With a wealth of experience in implementing complex projects for discerning customers, Ascom has establishe d itself in important key markets.
Offerings range from analysis and consulting to system design and system integration, project management, engineering and implementation, right through to maintenance and support. The company has subsidiaries in 18 countries and a workforce of some 2,400 employees worldwide. Ascom registered shares (ASCN) are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich.
About Comarco
Based in Lake Forest, California, Comarco is a leading provider of wireless test solutions for field test applications, ChargeSource® universal mobile power products, and wireless emergency call box systems.
Comarco's WTS division is an industry-leading supplier of wireless test systems for field test applications. Comarco systems allow cellular network operators to improve the quality of their service through voice, video, and data benchmarking and system optimization using integrated QoS algorithms and unique multi-technology interfaces and RF scanners. Comarco's open architecture supports both current cellular operating system technologies and new 3G systems being implemented worldwide, and is extensible to 4G technologies as they become available.
Based on reported year-to-date sales data, ChargeSource® is the largest selling line of products able to recharge and power a variety of mobile devices, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, digital cameras, PDAs, and other handheld devices through a single power source.
Comarco's call box systems are in place on most major highway systems throughout the United States and are used by motorists to contact local authorities for rapid assistance.
More information about Comarco's product lines can be found at comarco.com and www.chargesource.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended to date. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-lo oking statements, including, among others, the impact of perceived or actual weakening of economic conditions on customers' and prospective customers' adoption of new wireless communications technologies, and, therefore, spending on our products and services; risks related to market acceptance of our products and our ability to meet contractual and technical product performance commitments with our customers; activities by us and others regarding protection of intellectual property; and competitors' release of competitive products and other actions. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results are included in risks detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including without limitation our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2006 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2006.
Corporate Information
Comarco Wireless Test Solutions is located at 25541 Commercentre Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630-8870. The company can be found on the web at comarco.
com.
Contacts
Tom Franza, President & CEO of Comarco, Inc., +1-949-599-7440, or tfranza@comar co.com, or Mark Chapman of Comarco Wireless Test Solutions, +1-949-599-7458, or mchapman@comarco.com; or investors, Doug Sherk, dsherk@evcgroup.com, or Jenifer Kirtland, jkirtland@evcgroup.com, both at +1-415-896-6820, or media, Steve DiMattia, +1-646-277-8720, or jsaunders@evcgroup.com, all of EVC Group for Comarco, Inc.
