US: Monet Mobile Networks, a high-speed wireless Internet service provider, announced the availability of Monet Broadband, a high-speed, mobile Internet service in Bismarck, N.D.

Monet's new service is the first Internet service in North America to give people the unique combination of broadband speed, mobility and a complete Internet experience.

"Monet Broadband gives the people of Bismarck options they've never had before," said Richard Kingston, president and COO, Monet Mobile Networks. "With Monet, people can have the ability to take their high-speed Internet connection outdoors, across town, from room to room or anywhere in our coverage area."

"We're excited to bring Monet Broadband to Bismarck and to join the local community with a valuable new service," said Shane Hampton, vice president of sales, Monet Mobile Networks. "The addition of Monet Broadband contributes to the local economy by giving our dealers new products to sell and an additional reason to sell new computers and other devices to local businesses and homes. Monet Broadband also makes the computers people already own more productive communications tools."

For a flat monthly rate, Monet Broadband offers high-speed, mobile access to the complete Internet, enabling ubiquitous access to e-mail, contact and calendar information, the ability to download large file attachments, streaming video, multimedia, position location services, live chat and secure access to corporate intranets and databases. Customers can use Monet Broadband by installing a wireless PC card modem and/or a CardReader for desktops. The easy-to-install, wireless modem is compatible with desktop, laptop and handheld PCs. The combination of mobility, network speed and device flexibility allows Monet to offer residential users and small businesses an alternative to DSL and cable.

"Our service allows people to save money," said Kingston. "Many people in our other markets have disconnected their dial-up Internet connection as well as their second phone line and realized savings with Monet."

Monet offers packages tailored for the home or business user with features like multiple e-mail accounts, giving access through the web or standard e-mail programs such as Microsoft Outlook, as well as web hosting space and eFax services.

"I'm pleased to see Monet and other companies making such substantial investments in North Dakota," said U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan. "High-speed wireless Internet access will be a key component of our future economic growth and a valuable resource for businesses and residents alike. Monet's investment means three of our major cities -- now including Bismarck -- enjoy this cutting edge technology."

Monet Broadband can be purchased online at www.monetmobile.com or from Monet Authorized Dealers and Resellers located throughout Monet's coverage area. In the Bismarck area, Monet Broadband is available at Computerland, Connecting Point and Wireless Concepts. Monet has also established a reseller relationship with Basin Telecommunications, Inc.

Monet's first commercial launch of Monet Broadband took place in Duluth, Minn. and Superior, Wis. in October 2002. Monet Broadband is also available in Eau Claire, Wis., Sioux Falls, S.D. Grand Forks, N.D. and Fargo, N.D., as well as Moorhead, Minn. Monet launched the nation's first 3G, data-only network in October 2001 in Sioux Falls, S.D. using CDMA2000 1xRTT. The company offers its high-speed, mobile Internet service to small and mid-sized markets that have a high Internet penetration, but limited access to broadband. There is no other service in North America like Monet Broadband. Monet was the first to launch the nation's commercial CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, high-speed mobile Internet service. The only other commercial service available today that uses similar technology is in Seoul, South Korea.

Monet is deploying its Monet Broadband network based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology, an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) IMT-2000 third-generation standard, optimized for data. Monet uses licensed spectrum in the PCS band (1.9 GHz). Monet's networks support data transmission service giving users a mobile, broadband Internet experience with average speeds generally ten times faster than dial-up with multi-megabit peaks. 1xEV-DO is the fastest, most cost-effective 3G data technology in existence today making available applications never before practical or possible over a wide area wireless network. Monet chose CDMA technology because of its clear path to high-speed, packet-based data transmission and the ability to maximize spectrum efficiency.