SPUTNIK LAUNCHES UNWIRED CAMPUS PROGRAM WITH FREE WI-FI SERVICE AT TWO LEADING CONFERENCES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Wireless Networks Premier at Syllabus2004 in San Francisco and NACUBO in Milwaukee

Download PDF

San Francisco, July 19, 2004—Sputnik introduced its new program for supporting on-campus wireless networks by providing free Wi-Fi access to attendees at the Syllabus2004 conference on technology for higher education, opening today in San Francisco, and at the NACUBO annual meeting for campus business officers in Milwaukee, also opening today.

Sputnik is a fast-growing startup whose Wi-Fi software centralizes the wireless network and subscriber management tasks for a growing list of colleges and universities. The University of Washington, Boston University, and the University of California at Davis all operate Sputnik-powered wireless networks. Sputnik networks are also in place at over 750 hotels, transportation sites, and other commercial locations in the United States and Europe.

Wireless is growing dramatically in the consumer, campus, and corporate markets, said Kenneth C. Green, founding director of The Campus Computing Project. Data from The Campus Computing Project reveal that the percentage of US colleges and universities operating wireless LANs more than doubled in recent years, from 29.6 percent in 2001 to 77.2 percent in fall 2003.

College and university administrators, IT professionals, and faculty attending Syllabus 2004 will have email and Internet access from the conference facilities, including meeting rooms and attendee lounge areas.

NACUBO, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, will have wireless access in the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, where some 1300 conference attendees will visit more than 200 exhibitor booths. Indianapolis-based eWireless LLC, a Sputnik reseller partner, will install and manage the wireless network onsite at the conference.

Special Discounts for Higher Education

Sputnik also announced today a special Unwired Campus program for higher education. The program includes special higher education discounts and a co-marketing program to support campuses developing add-on applications for Sputnik-powered networks.

“New ways to connect the campus are an important element of both teaching and administration in todays technology-enhanced environments,” said Vesna Swartz, Sputnik vice president marketing and business development. “A Sputnik-powered Wi-Fi network can provision itself, authenticate and track end users, and be managed from a remote location, important features for campuses where a network must support a large and fluid user community.”

About Sputnik (www.sputnik.com)

Sputnik Inc. provides the first software platform for wireless networks and applications designed for institutions and businesses. Remote network and subscriber management allows cost-effective operation of multiple indoor and outdoor wireless venues. Sputnik launched its commercial products in November 2003 and has gained over 300 customers, many of whom are engaging in major deployments in 2004. The privately funded company is based in San Francisco.

###