SAN JOSE, Calif., June 26, 2001 - Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced it will team with GRIC Communications and NCR Corporation to provide global broadband roaming solutions to mobile business professionals. Global broadband roaming enables service providers to offer their customers simple, high-speed and remote broadband access to their corporate networks with a single integrated bill - whether their mobile employees use the service in airports, hotels, convention centers or any other public access venues. By working with GRIC and NCR, Cisco will provide business customers with an expanded service footprint area and enable service providers to provide business travelers with access to the most extensive broadband network available worldwide. GRIC will provide global broadband roaming services, and NCR will provide global installation and support services.
Global Broadband Roaming will allow service providers to retain customer loyalty by offering a cost-effective and secure Global Broadband Roaming Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. Companies can increase the productivity of an employee on the road with a simple user connection interface and secure high-speed VPN access while saving on expensive long-distance dial charges. It is designed to make it as easy as possible for business travelers to receive high-bandwidth and secure remote access to their corporate networks.
In conjunction with Cisco, GRIC and NCR are working to deploy a widespread broadband network that allows service providers to provide global functionality and deliver the bill for that service in a single, integrated invoice, regardless of the traveler's point of connection to the Internet at the time the service was purchased. Global broadband roaming is a key component of the Cisco Internet Mobile Office solution that delivers comprehensive wired and wireless broadband connections to such venues as hotels, airports, convention centers, and other public places.
"Cisco is proud to have GRIC and NCR, as key partners in the Cisco Internet Mobile Office program, bringing together service providers that will integrate broadband networks into one global footprint for our customers," said Charlie Giancarlo, senior vice president and general manager of Commercial Line of Business, Cisco Systems, Inc. "Together, we look forward to extending the power of the Internet to traditionally unconnected spaces more than ever before."
Industry experts predict that the corporate business traveler's computing demands will bring instant Internet connectivity to a larger number and greater array of public-access locations where business professionals on the move can access their corporate LAN through secure broadband Internet access. With the agreement, Cisco strengthens its wired and wireless broadband initiative that includes over 600 Cisco "hotspot" public-access locations worldwide.
The Cisco Internet Mobile Office program brings together a wide range of Cisco products including: Cisco Aironet 350 Series of wireless LAN products, Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series and 3550-12T Switches, WAN connectivity products, Cisco PIX Firewall, and many Cisco VPN products, with a complementary set of service providers, application service providers, and enabling technology providers.
Expanding Cisco Internet Mobile Office Ecosystem
Along with existing Cisco Internet Mobile Office service providers, joint efforts will focus on integrating new broadband roaming infrastructures into their existing service architectures.
GRIC has already established global broadband roaming agreements with hundreds of top tier Internet service providers and telecom companies worldwide, and is continuing its efforts to expand the reach and availability of their broadband roaming service through the GRIC Alliance Network. The network offers Internet access through more than 12,000 dial locations in more than 150 countries.
"We are excited to work with Cisco and expand its Cisco Internet Mobile Office initiative by addressing all aspects of a full solution that mobile business professionals require," said Hong Chen, CEO of GRIC Communications. "This relationship, along with our Internet roaming and settlement technology expertise, will help customers access the tools, people, and information they need -- wherever they are -- with a secure, flexible platform that keeps pace with the changing demands of business."
NCR's Worldwide Customer Services Division is a leader in helping businesses use the Web to establish and enhance their e-business presence, working closely with telcos and service providers across the globe to provide networking services in over 200 countries. With the agreement NCR will install and support Cisco Aironet's wireless LAN 350 series, LRE, and Building Broadband Service Manager (BBSM) solutions in hotels, airports, convention centers, and other public locations throughout the world.
"This agreement improves our Cisco service delivery portfolio," said Jim Kohrs, vice president and general manager for Cisco programs, NCR. "From San Francisco to Singapore, and all points in between, NCR's global presence and service fidelity can help customers with their mobile networking requirements."
For additional information on the Cisco Internet Mobile Office initiative, including current "hot spot" locations and. and related products and technologies, visit the Cisco Internet Mobile Office Web site at http://www.cisco.com/go/mobileoffice.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.
Editor's Note: For more information please visit the Cisco Internet Mobile Office virtual press kit at http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/kits/smb/comdex/index.htm.
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