Tech startup-up breaks into wireless world

Nov 2, 2006

Contact:
Dan Chmielewski
Madison Alexander PR, Inc.
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Tahoe Daily Tribune writer

"It's a small world," is no longer cliché at Lake Tahoe.

That's because AirTegrity of Stateline launched its wireless communications product line in November, materializing a concept that had been in development for four years.

The privately held company develops and manufactures a complete broadband wireless communications system.

For the last two years, the high-tech duo of Greg Phillips and Greg Felton have run a fixed wireless pilot program at the lake through all kinds of weather. This year, their subscriber station was put to the test - especially during December's hefty dumping of snow.

The global company is using a Reno subcontractor, Vital Systems, for voice, data and video communications on business-to-business applications. But there's also the opportunity to sell consumer direct in this $8 billion industry in which a dozen companies compete for the lion's share of the market.

The AirTegrity line interfaces with T3, 10/100BaseT, T1, E1, and DSL services.

"People call us from Zephyr Cove because the infrastructure is so old," aid Phillips, a former consultant from Australia. "This business is big."

The company's founder and chief executive officer and Felton, AirTegrity's president, who worked for Hewlett Packard for 18 years, said they've noticed rural areas are poorly served in this technology. And Tahoe's geography presents "unique challenges," Phillips emphasized.

The businessmen want to offer a low-cost alternative to a high-grade wireless product for the world. For example, the AirVantage module base price runs $600. A base station with a wireless router costs $5,300.

With the global wiring structure estimated to cost about $1,000 per meter to install, it's been reported that half the world's population has never placed a phone call.

"This is the only realistic way to do this - to do it wireless," Phillips said.

Of course, nothing worthwhile - especially in relation to startups - comes easy.

The lights have been on late at night at their Kingsbury Grade offices, and Phillips' dog has his bed parked in a corner.

"My wife's supportive," Phillips said.

He and Felton believe they'll need to double the 20 employees they have working for them now. The need will be strong in the area of software engineering and support.

The company can be reached at (775)588-8800.

- Susan Wood can be reached at (530)542-8009 or via e-mail at swood@tahoedailytribune.com