PROX Proxim (MM)

Charleston Southern University Improves Quality of University Life With Campus-wide Proxim Wi-Fi Network Proxim ORiNOCO Access Points and Client Cards Give Students Convenient, High-Speed Access Across Entire University SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Proxim Corporation (NASDAQ:PROX), a global leader in wireless networking equipment for Wi-Fi and broadband wireless networks, today announced that Charleston Southern University, one of South Carolina's largest accredited, independent universities, has dramatically improved campus-wide network access by deploying a network based on Proxim's wireless equipment. Using a combination of Proxim ORiNOCO AP-1000, AP-2000, AP-4000 and AP-700 Wi-Fi access points and more than 1,000 Proxim ORiNOCO client cards, the University has linked all 25 buildings on its campus to a new wireless network, providing students with convenient, high-speed access to the Internet, email and learning applications. In 2000, Charleston Southern began investigating ways to replace its outdated dial-up modem bank system with a more effective, higher speed solution in the university dormitories and residence halls. The existing system was cumbersome and slow, and frequently resulted in busy signals for students trying to access the network. The University realized that expanding the existing dial-up system would require adding a phone line to every dorm room and pulling Ethernet cable -- a costly proposition. The University determined that a wireless network would be much more cost-effective and could offer the network speed and scalability required to serve students' needs. After a successful evaluation of Proxim's access points and client cards at the beginning of 2001, the University decided to deploy Proxim Wi-Fi solutions throughout campus residence halls and dormitories to improve Internet access and quality of life for students. This also provided convenient access to educational resources. Students were given client cards as part of their residence hall package (which they are then asked to return at graduation time). The new Proxim Wi-Fi network kept phone lines free for incoming calls, provided a much higher connection speed and could link every student in a dorm room simultaneously. When this initial residence hall deployment proved successful, the university expanded the network to cover every building on campus including classroom buildings, libraries and the student union. As a result, Charleston Southern students can now easily and conveniently access the Internet, send and receive e-mail, conduct research and fact-checking, and retrieve on-line presentations and class notes across the entire campus. The University has benefited from dramatically improved scalability, a more productive student body and greatly reduced deployment costs -- specifically, the entire Proxim-based solution cost less than half of what it would have cost Charleston Southern to deploy cable or 10/100 Ethernet (a $284,000 savings for the school). "With our new wireless network, students can easily move around campus and maintain fast, convenient access to the applications they need to stay productive," said Rusty Bruns, chief information officer for Charleston Southern University (CSU). "From the University's perspective, we now have a high quality solution that can easily scale to accommodate new buildings and a growing student body. All of these benefits translate into significant cost savings for the University." The University evaluated several vendors' solutions before settling on Proxim's ORiNOCO access points and client cards. According to Tony Boone, CSU's wireless network administrator, Proxim's solutions were more scalable and flexible than competitive offerings. "Proxim's solutions offered more options for future growth and expansion," Tony Boone stated. "With its excellent client software and integrated support for 802.11 a, b and g, Proxim's solutions ensure that we don't have to worry about changing devices or cards when we add students and buildings or when we decide to migrate our network to 802.11g." "Proxim continues to be successful in the education market because we understand the specific requirements of this sector," said Lynn Lucas, vice president of product management for Proxim. "Our solutions can improve the productivity and quality of life for students, while meeting the performance, cost, management and scalability needs of the institution. As one of the first universities in South Carolina to deploy Wi-Fi campus-wide, Charleston Southern is a great model for other institutions to follow." Charleston Southern University is currently constructing a new science building and plans to deploy AP-700s in the building in the first half of 2005. In addition, the University has plans to create outdoor hot spots for some of the campus' common areas. About Charleston Southern University Founded in 1964, Charleston Southern University is a four-year liberal arts school situated on 300 acres near historic Charleston. One of South Carolina's largest accredited independent universities, it enrolls approximately 3,000 students. The institution is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is dedicated to promoting academic excellence in a Christian environment for all faiths. For more information on Charleston Southern University, visit the school's web site at http://www.csuniv.edu/. About Proxim Proxim Corporation is a global leader in wireless networking equipment for Wi-Fi and broadband wireless networks. The company is providing its enterprise and service provider customers with wireless solutions for the mobile enterprise, security and surveillance, last mile access, voice and data backhaul, public hot spots, and metropolitan area networks. This press release and more information about Proxim can be found on the Web at http://www.proxim.com/. Safe Harbor This press release may contain forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Proxim's expectations in these statements. For additional information regarding risks relating to Proxim's business, see Proxim Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and Forms 10-Q for quarters ended July 2, 2004 and October 1, 2004, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other relevant materials filed by Proxim with the SEC. Proxim assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Proxim Corporation CONTACT: Sylvia Clark Hooks of Proxim Corporation, +1-408-542-3357, or ; or Lori S. Hultin of LSH Communications, +1-818-879-4651, or , for Proxim Corporation Web site: http://www.csuniv.edu/ Web site: http://www.proxim.com/

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