Exhibit 99.1
[AETHER LOGO GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Aether Systems Announces Close of Acquisition of Motient's Transportation
Division
OWINGS MILLS, MD - December 1, 2000 - Aether Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: AETH), a
leading provider of wireless data products and services, today announced the
closing of its acquisition of Motient Corporation's (Nasdaq: MTNT)
transportation business unit. This transaction, announced on September 19, 2000,
will contribute Motient's 200 transportation customers to Aether's Enterprise
business.
The acquisition of Motient's transportation division increases Aether's presence
in the transportation industry, providing the company with a significant client
base in the long-haul and less-than-truckload market and a leading, multi-mode
wireless product that provides vehicle information via both land-based and
satellite communications.
Under terms of the agreement, Aether acquired Motient's transportation business
unit for $45 million in cash, of which $10 million was placed in escrow. The
agreement also provides for potential future payments of up to $22.5 million
based on revenue and other incentive targets for the acquired business in 2001.
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About Aether Systems
--------------------
Aether Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data products
and services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full
range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the
ScoutWare(tm) family of products including the Aether Intelligent Messaging
(AIM) software platform, and its network operations and customer care center,
Aether seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and
mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services
across a variety of industries and marke t segments in the United States and
internationally. For more information, please visit www.aethersystems.com
(http://www.aethersystems.com)
About Motient
-------------
Motient (www.motient.com) owns and operates an integrated terrestrial/satellite
network and provides a wide range of two-way mobile and Internet communications
services principally to business-to-business customers and enterprises. The
company provides eLink(SM) two-way wireless email service to customers accessing
email through corporate servers, Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Mail
Service Provider (MSP) accounts, and paging network suppliers. Motient serves a
variety of markets including mobile professionals, telemetry, transportation,
field service, and nationwide voice dispatch offering coverage to all 50 states,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and hundreds of miles of U. S. coastal
waters.
This press release includes forward-looking statements based on current
expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about
Aether that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such
forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, the effective integration of the acquired resources into
Aether's operations. These risks and other risk factors are described in
Aether's report on Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release.
Press contacts:
Greg Abel David Wonderling
Aether Systems Motient
443-394-5189 703-716-6375
[email protected] [email protected]
Investor contact:
Gregg Lampf
Aether Systems
443-394-5165
[email protected]
