Press Releases

Provides Fast Market Entry for New NexPaq Radio Handset for First Responders

SUNNYVALE, Calif., and RICHARDSON, Texas, July 19, 2004 — MontaVista Software Inc. today announced that NexGen City™, a manufacturer of mobile, high-speed wireless communications systems, has chosen MontaVista® Linux® Professional Edition as the operating system (OS) for its new NexPaq™ personal communicator for first responders. The NexPaq handheld communicator is an integral element of NexGen City's mesh-based NexLink™ wireless broadband mobile network, which combines data, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls, and streaming video for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical teams, and municipal personnel.

“NexGen City chose MontaVista Linux with its large supporting software base to give us a fast entry into the market. We didn't want to have to reinvent the proverbial wheel. MontaVista Linux lets us do what we do best, develop advanced communications networks and applications for public safety,” said Kevin Farley, embedded software director, NexGen City. “We’ve used various RTOSes in the past and other embedded Linux products. We’re now planning to use MontaVista Linux on all devices throughout the NexLink network, and even in our Network Operations Center (NOC).”

The rugged, lightweight NexPaq unit is the industry’s first PTT/VoIP™ (Push-to-Talk/Voice Over Internet Protocol) radio handset. As part of its PTT functionality, the communicator has an emergency call button, a channel selection switch, and volume control. A command and control center can create virtual talk groups on the fly so that different first responder organizations arriving at the scene with NexPaq handhelds can communicate immediately on the same channel.

“The NexPaq communicator is an ingenious solution that will be extremely beneficial to local, state, and federal public safety officials and users,” said Mike Mathews, senior product marketing manager, MontaVista Software. “As wireless technologies rapidly evolve, the supporting software needs to be more robust to support their rich functionality and networking capabilities. MontaVista Linux provides a powerful systems software platform that can help quickly bring advanced devices such as the NexPaq communicator to market.”

Key Factors in the Selection of MontaVista Linux:
According to NexGen City, the following requirements led it to move to MontaVista Linux:

• A commercial-grade software platform
• A robust and versatile tools environment
• Faster time-to-market for Nexgen City’s products.

Nexgen City says that the development effort was smooth and accomplished in a matter of months and, with the help of MontaVista Software, the project was carefully planned and executed.

The NexPaq Communicator
The rugged, lightweight NexPaq communicator runs embedded Linux on an Intel PXA255 microprocessor clocked at 400MHz. The first-generation device includes a backlit text display, keypad, cursor controls, and programmable multi-function keys in addition to its PTT functions.

NexGen City's NexLink Wireless Broadband Mobile Network
The NexLink network is a mesh-based communications system that can carry data, VoIP calls, and streaming video at broadband connection throughput rates of up to 1.5 Mbps (with bursts up to 6 Mbps), all while traveling at highway speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to NexGen City. Both mobile and fixed infrastructure devices are "network nodes" acting as repeaters and routers on the NexLink system. This creates a self-forming and self-healing network with ad hoc peer-to-peer networking capabilities. In the event of a major emergency that disables local fixed devices, first responders arriving on the scene can form a network automatically and seamlessly with their NexPaq communicators.

MontaVista Linux Professional Edition
MontaVista Linux Professional Edition (Pro) is the industry-leading comprehensive embedded operating system and cross development environment. It includes a modern OS featuring real-time functionality, multi-process capabilities and multi-threaded remote debugging, with extensive bundled software components including rich networking. Pro targets more than 25 processors from eight industry-leading architectures and supports more than 100 boards offering developers great freedom to choose the elements for their development environment, which, in effect, allows them to speed cutting-edge products to market faster and at a lower cost. Pro also incorporates MontaVista DevRocket™, a powerful integrated development environment that delivers state-of-the-art development tools.

Availability
The NexPaq intelligent communicator is currently undergoing extensive field-testing. The product is expected to be generally available in the fourth quarter of 2004.

MontaVista Linux Professional Edition 3.1 is available now as a product subscription through MontaVista Software and its worldwide distribution channels. MontaVista Linux product subscriptions provide developer teams with the MontaVista Linux kernel, deployment components, utilities, development tools, software updates, access to the MontaVista Zone (customer resource portal), comprehensive technical support and hands-on Linux training classes.

About NexGen City
Formed in 2002, NexGen City develops, manufactures, and markets wireless broadband communications systems for cities’ first responders and municipal workers. The company’s integrated solutions for high-speed data, voice, streaming video, and geolocation applications include field-tested mobile devices and intelligent wireless infrastructure components. Deployment of NexGen City’s NexLink wireless broadband mobile network covering the City of Garland’s

57 square miles, is the first and geographically largest deployment of mobile mesh-based technology for use by a public safety organization.

The closely held company is privately funded. Its 46,000-sq. ft. headquarters office, which also houses the company’s Network Operations Center, is located at 1680 N. Glenville Drive, Suite 100, Richardson, Texas 75081. Contact NexGen City at 214 420 0911 or www.nexgencity.com.

About MontaVista Software
MontaVista Software is a leading global supplier of systems software and development tools for intelligent connected devices and associated infrastructure. MontaVista empowers software developers by providing Open Source GNU/Linux-based software solutions. Founded in 1999 by real-time operating system pioneer James Ready, MontaVista offers a family of products that address software developer needs encompassing applications ranging from communications infrastructure to consumer electronics. MontaVista products include MontaVista Linux Professional, Consumer Electronics and Carrier Grade Editions. MontaVista DevRocket, a powerful integrated development environment, delivers state-of-the-art development tools across all product Editions. MontaVista Graphics offers a rich GUI development tools platform.

Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, in Sunnyvale, Calif., MontaVista Software is a privately held company funded by leading investors such as Alloy Ventures, China Development Industrial Bank, RRE Ventures, US Venture Partners, WR Hambrecht + Co., as well as IBM, Infineon Ventures, Intel Capital, Panasonic (Matsushita), Samsung Ventures America, Siemens Venture Capital, Sony, Toshiba America and Yamaha Corporation. For more information about MontaVista Software, please visit www.mvista.com.

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. MontaVista is a registered trademark of MontaVista Software Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Contacts:

MontaVista Software
Joe Samagond
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
MontaVista Software Inc.
Phone: (408) 328-9234
E-mail: jsamagond@mvista.com

Patricia Colby
PR Strategy and Business Development
Pacifico Inc.
Phone: (408) 293-8600 ext. 340
E-mail: pcolby@pacifico.com

NexGen City
Joan Naidish
Jump Start Communications, LLC
Phone: (818) 883-9895
E-mail: joan@jumpstartcom.com