Affinity program gives back 10 percent of monthly service fees

Ricochet Networks Inc. (RNI), the Denver-based wireless Internet company, today announced it is teaming up with Denver Public Schools (DPS) to bridge the digital divide among students. Ten percent of the monthly service fees generated through a special RNI/DPS affinity program will fund technological tools and training for students.

Now through May 2003, the DPS community (including students, families, faculty, employees, alumni, retirees and friends of DPS) is eligible for a special offer from RNI. DPS community members can sign-up online for unlimited Ricochet service at $44.95 per month and receive a free $99.95 modem and one month of free service (a total value of $144.90) with a six-month service contract.

The funds raised through the affinity program will benefit projects that bridge the digital gap between children of varied economic backgrounds, targeting those who have not been introduced to computer technology in their homes. This will allow DPS to subsidize home computers for children in homes without them and provide training for basic use. In high schools, technology teachers and students will develop various programs using the Internet to engage students in interest areas like art and science while simultaneously teaching them to perform computer functions like basic navigation and research.

Christine Smith, director of community partnership and enterprise activity for DPS said, “We are absolutely thrilled with this program. In the current funding situation, we are under very tight constraints. This is a chance for DPS to bridge the financial gap between what we receive from the state and what we need to keep our students of all economic backgrounds abreast of new technology.”

RNI community relations support education, health and human services and public safety programs. “We are very pleased to support technology education in our neighborhood schools,” explains Emilie Kelly, vice president, marketing and corporate communications of RNI. “It’s important to us that we support the communities in which we do business and since Denver is our hometown, the DPS affinity program is a perfect way for us to give a little back.”

RNI and DPS will send out 100,000 postcards and 9,000 e-mails to teachers, students, and friends of DPS with the details of the offer. The offer will also be advertised in the DPS newsletter and in student papers.

About Ricochet high-speed wire-free Internet

Ricochet is a high-speed wireless Internet service available in the city and county of Denver and the city of Westminster, even in areas that are not wired for DSL or cable. Ricochet typically runs at speeds five times that of dial-up service. Ricochet provides the freedom to move around the house, office or anywhere within the coverage area while connected to the Internet.

The service is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Ricochet operates from an easy-to-use external (desktop) modem or internal PC card (laptop) modem which has a purchase value of $99.95. No other equipment purchase, additional phone line, or internet provider is necessary to get up and running. There is no need to schedule an installer since Ricochet’s software allows for easy self-installation that takes about ten minutes.

About Ricochet Networks, Inc.

Ricochet Networks, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aerie Networks, Inc., a privately held broadband services company based in Denver, Colorado and backed by VantagePoint Venture Partners. RNI designs, builds and operates the Ricochet® high-speed wire-free Internet network, a unique patented wireless data communications network that is affordable, easy to access and use. RNI is actively seeking public/private partnerships with communities and local government to help turn the Ricochet network back on where it once existed and to install new networks in areas where affordable, broadband access is currently unavailable. For more information, please visit the website at www.ricochet.com.

Product images available upon request. Ricochet modems available to the media for testing purposes. Contact Carrie Frick at 303.542.1202

Media inquiries:
Kassa Parsons, 303.383.4611; kparsons@ricochet.net