TORONTO, CANADA, February 24, 2004 - Spotnik Mobile, Canada's leading wireless Internet service provider, today announced the launch of the Spotnik MobileSpotTM aboard selected VIA Rail Canada trains traveling between Montreal and Quebec City.

Designed specifically for the transportation market with the support of long time partner TELUS Mobility, Cisco Systems Canada and palmOne, Spotnik's MobileSpot solution makes it possible to extend the convenience of broadband Internet connectivity to passengers in transit beyond the reach of conventional Wi-Fi hot spots. Passengers traveling on trains, commuter rail, buses and ferries can use their Wi-Fi equipped laptops and PDAs to access Internet services, email and enterprise networks, enjoying the convenience and improved productivity that comes with high-speed Internet connectivity on-the-go.

"As one of Canada's fastest-growing public WLAN service providers, Spotnik sees increasing demand for continuous high-speed Internet access on transportation networks," said Mark Wolinsky, co-ceo of Spotnik. "The Spotnik MobileSpot now makes it possible to stay connected while on a moving platform. Professionals and passengers will now have the information they need at their fingertips through high-speed Internet connectivity while en route at 160km/hr."

Spotnik's on-board Internet service trial will be FREE to all VIA 1 customers until March 31, 2004. Traveling alongside the busy highway corridor between Montreal and Quebec City several times each week, the MobileSpot train will be specially wrapped with the TELUS and Spotnik brands and the logos of trial sponsors, along with the bilingual message "on-line. on-board. / en-ligne. ` bord." The service will also be promoted with signage in train stations, on-board marketing collateral, banner advertising on VIA's Web site and direct marketing to VIA's 180,000 e-newsletter subscribers. The MobileSpot schedule is available at viarail.ca, where customers can also book tickets. Prior to boarding VIA 1, Spotnik's hotSpot service is available in both the Quebec City and Montreal lounges.

The Spotnik MobileSpot solution benefits from Spotnik's unique experience as a public WLAN service provider coupled with a close working relationship with Cisco Systems. The solution interfaces with a wide range of radio backhaul networks and WLAN authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) systems. The MobileSpot, using the Cisco 3200 Series Mobile Access Router, intelligently and seamlessly manages a combination of satellite, cellular and 802.11b connectivity to the Internet to ensure maximum uptime for Spotnik customers. Requests are transmitted from the customer's client device, such as a laptop or handheld computer, to the wireless LAN aboard the train and then to the Spotnik Network Operating Centre. Data is returned via a high-speed satellite link.

"Together with Spotnik, we've created an intelligent mobile network with highly secure features to provide seamless connectivity independent of location or movement," said Terry Walsh, president of Cisco Systems Canada. "By providing access to mission-critical voice, video and data communications, we're helping the mobile workforce be more productive and responsive, even while in transit."

In addition to its connection management functions, the MobileSpot contains an integrated caching and scheduling engine that enhances the user experience by storing frequently used and custom content for rapid onboard access without tying up external radio connections. Multiple methods of content provisioning, including cached content and direct download, populate the built-in portal, providing customers with frequent updates on news items from Canada NewsWire, financial information on Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange from TSX Datalinx, weather from The Weather Network and business and residential directory services from SuperPages.ca. The customer on board the train experiences improved speed and service performance, while the cache ensures that valuable external bandwidth is left available for other customers and uses.

The Spotnik MobileSpot allows all rail passengers with Wi-Fi equipped devices such as notebooks or PDAs to access their desktop applications without the need to purchase specialized radio cards, software or service subscriptions. Customers can access the Internet in a few simple steps as the Spotnik system supports browser-based login. Throughout the journey, passengers that wish to try the MobileSpot service will be able to borrow a Wi-Fi enabled TungstenTM C handheld computer from palmOne Canada. palmOne devices and the Spotnik service will be supported by an on-board wireless "conductor" who will travel with the train between the two destination cities, offering assistance and troubleshooting tips for new users.

"palmOne continues to stay focused on providing simple, elegant personal management and productivity solutions to mobile professionals throughout Canada," said Michael Moskowitz, president of palmOne Canada. "Spotnik's Wi-Fi service strategically reaches many of the prime business corridors where mobile professionals operate, and offering service for VIA commuters and passengers makes a great deal of sense. Now, Palm Tungsten C users are more mobile than ever before as they can continue their work while traveling and never miss a beat."

National wireless provider TELUS Mobility is working closely with Spotnik to build the market for wireless networking across Canada. The two companies have already rolled out hundreds of hotSpots in public locations nationwide, allowing fast and affordable Internet access for business and consumer clients with Wi-Fi enabled devices.

"TELUS Mobility's ongoing partnership with Spotnik and support for the VIA Wi-Fi trial in particular underlines our commitment to grow mobile Wi-Fi data use both in the enterprise and in a broad array of public places," said Robert Blumenthal, TELUS Mobility's vice president of products and services.

Wi-Fi (short for "wireless fidelity") is the commercial name for 802.11b networking technology, which allows any user with a Wi-Fi enabled device to connect to a wireless access point at speeds of up to 11Mbps.

About Spotnik Mobile

Spotnik Mobile is the leading provider of secure high-speed public wireless Internet service in Canada. Together, Spotnik and TELUS Mobility are building a national network of HotSpots in premium locations such as transportation facilities, hotels, conference centers, commercial properties, cafés and now moving vehicles. Spotnik enables the rapidly growing population of wirelessly-enabled mobile individuals to achieve real gains in productivity through high-speed wireless Internet access on-the-go. For more information, please visit www.spotnikmobile.com

Press Contact:

Gareth Pettigrew
Strategic/Ampersand (for Cisco)
416-961-5595 ext. 428
gpettigr@cisco.com