Alpha Extends Partnership With Metricom to Provide Components for High-Speed Ricochet Network; Products Deliver Seamless Communication for Wireless Internet Access

Source: Alpha Industries

WOBURN, Mass. Alpha Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AHAA) today announced that it is delivering additional volume shipments of gallium arsenide (GaAs) and radio-frequency (RF) components for Metricom, Inc. s high-speed Ricochet(TM) mobile data network. Ricochet provides 128kbps wireless Internet access to users in nine major metropolitan areas across the United States, and is under construction in nearly a dozen additional markets.

Alpha s volume shipments to Metricom include GaAs switches, silicon RF semiconductor devices and other components. These products address critical performance parameters needed in the high-speed mobile access network such as high linearity, low-phase noise and low insertion loss while not exceeding the size restrictions imposed by the modem and radio modules. By connecting a wireless modem to a laptop or Personal Digital Assistant, Ricochet subscribers can create the "always-on" Internet experience - outside the confines of the office.

"Our expanding relationship with Metricom underscores Alpha s growing penetration into the broadband marketplace," said David Aldrich, the company s president and CEO. "The GaAs and RF content that we are providing ensure seamless communication between the individual user s modem and the pole-top transceiver, allowing complete wireless Internet mobility from their laptop computers and Personal Digital Assistants.

Ricochet is available in Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Manhattan, Philadelpha, Phoenix, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay area. The 128kbps network is under construction in markets including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

"Alpha won this business by offering superior product performance, competitive pricing and the ability to meet an aggressive production schedule," said Dave Fryklund, Alpha s General Manager of GaAs IC products. "Demand for high-speed mobile data communications is growing exponentially, and Alpha s products and operational efficiency place us squarely at the forefront of this emerging phenomenon."

About Metricom

Metricom, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCOM) is a leading high-speed wireless data company based in San Jose, California. With its high-speed Ricochet mobile access, Metricom is making "information anytime" possible-at home, at the office, on the road, and on many devices. Founded in 1985, Metricom has spent more than 15 years on the development of its distinctive MicroCellular Data Network (MCDN) technology. That experience enables Metricom to develop the fastest wireless mobile data networking and technology available today. Ricochet has operated a 28.8 kbps service since 1995. The new Ricochet, delivering user speeds of 128 kbps, is currently available in nine markets and is connected to two 28.8 kbps service areas to increase coverage for mobile professionals. Coverage will continue expanding, and is targeted to reach 46 markets.

About Alpha

Alpha Industries is a leading provider of RF integrated circuit-based solutions, including semiconductors and ceramic components, for the broadband and wireless communications markets. Alpha s switches, power amplifiers and discrete semiconductors are used by the world s leading broadband, infrastructure and wireless communications companies to enhance the speed, quality and performance of voice, data and video. For more information, please visit the Company s Web site, www.alphaind.com.

Safe Harbor Statement - Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements constitute the Company s current intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectation or predictions of the future, which are, therefore, inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the Company s forward-looking statements based on various factors, including without limitation: cancellation or deferral of customer orders, growth of the wireless Internet access market; dependence on a small number of large customers, difficulties in the timely development and market acceptance of new products including the Company s HBT amplifiers, market developments that vary from the current public expectations concerning the growth of wireless communications, difficulties in manufacturing new or existing products in sufficient quantity or quality, increased competitive pressures, decreasing selling prices for the Company s products, or changes in economic conditions. Further information on factors that could affect the Company s performance is included in the Company s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including but not limited to the Company s Form 10-K for the year ended April 2, 2000, and subsequent Forms 10-Q. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in the Company s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstance on which any such statement is based.

CONTACT: Alpha Industries, Inc. Paul Vincent, Chief Financial Officer (781) 935-5150 Ext. 4438