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fSONA’s SONAbeam Powers Indy Racing League's Timing and Scoring Network

fSONA Communications, producer of the SONAbeam series of optical wireless products, today announced that the Indy Racing League, the nation’s leading open-wheel oval-track racing series, selected the SONAbeam™ 155-E to deliver a portable last-mile solution for their timing and scoring data network.

Vancouver, Canada July 19, 2004 -- fSONA Communications, producer of the SONAbeam series of optical wireless products, today announced that the Indy Racing League, the nation's leading open-wheel oval-track racing series, selected the SONAbeam™ 155-E to deliver a portable last-mile solution for their timing and scoring data network.

The IRL chose the SONAbeam™ 155-E because, unlike RF-based wireless solutions, optical wireless technology is capable of delivering the high-bandwidth they required without interference with the IRL's other communication devices. In addition, the SONAbeam E series is lightweight, compact and very easy to transport and install.

"The SONAbeam is a great product for the IRL," said Jon Koskey, Director of Timing and Scoring for the Indy Racing League. "At each race, the SONAbeam has performed superbly. Although reliable operation is our top priority, one of the best things has been how easy the SONAbeam is to install. We attended an fSONA training course to get up to speed but the installation process is so easy I can’t believe they even offer training on it."

The SONAbeam™ 155-E transports vital race data, including race scoring and lap timing information from the scoring tower to the pit cart using the Fast Ethernet protocol at 100 Mbps. This allows each team sees the information in near real-time during pre-race qualifications, practice sessions and race day. At each race, in each city, the units are set up by the team to transport data. The tour will take the SONAbeam™ all over the United States, and even to Japan for the Indy Japan 300.

"We're very excited about having the Indy Racing League as a customer,” commented Sunny Taylor, Regional Director USA for fSONA. “Obviously, speed is of prime importance to the IRL, and the SONAbeam certainly delivers speed, and not just bandwidth speed but speed of install as well."

About Indy Racing League:

The INDY RACING LEAGUE, built upon the most famous automobile race in the world, the Indianapolis 500, is now in its ninth season. Its premier series, the IndyCar(R) Series, holds 16 events in 14 of America's top markets. The IndyCar Series races from coast-to-coast during the summer, and also makes one international stop in Japan. The IRL features wheel-to-wheel excitement, generated by 670-horsepower cars and charismatic drivers.

About fSONA:

fSONA Communications was founded in 1997 to deliver wireless solutions that simplify and speed network deployments for carrier, service provider and enterprise customers around the world. The SONAbeam™ series of free space optical (FSO) networking products use an unlicensed, wireless technology operating at speeds up to 2.5 Gbps and distances up to 5km. SONAbeam™ avoids the cost of digging to lay fiber, licensing for radio frequencies, is immune to interference, and is extremely secure. SONAbeam™ is operational in 28 countries around the globe and was named Product of the Year by Network Magazine; fSONA is an ISO 9001 registered company. For more information visit www.fsona.com or www.free-space-optics.org