Sony partners with two WLAN service providers to offer wireless Hotspot access via CLIÉ and VAIO

Selected PDA and notebook products support growing Hotspot demand

TORONTO, Ontario - Monday, March 1, 2004 -- Sony of Canada Ltd., Canada's leading supplier of electronic and computer products for consumers and business, today announced that it has partnered with two of Canada's leading wireless local area network (LAN) service providers to offer customers of selected Sony CLIÉ handheld and VAIO notebook personal computer products wireless Hotspot service across the country.

Under the terms of the partnership, Sony customers who purchase selected models of the style- and innovation-leading CLIÉ PEG-UX50, PEG-TH55, PEG-TJ37 and PEG-TJ37C handheld or VAIO GRT, K, TR, V505 and Z1 Series notebook PC before June 30, 2004, will receive 30 days of free wireless Hotspot service from two leading service providers -- Fatport Corp. and Spotnik Mobile Inc. To take advantage of this offer, customers must activate the service before June 30, 2004, with access codes obtained by registering their CLIÉ handheld or VAIO notebook at www.sonystyle.ca/registration.

According to industry research firm IDC Canada Ltd., the demand for WLAN Hotspot service in Canada continues to grow rapidly.

"The mobility message is resonating with Canadian customers. In 2003, demand for an integrated Wi-Fi solution on mobile clients represented a record 26 percent of total mobile shipments," said Eddie Chan, Research Analyst, Mobile/Personal Computing & Technology, IDC Canada Ltd. "Improvements in client design and performance, the proliferation of digital media, as well as the rollout of wireless infrastructure support and services, are accelerating adoption of mobile computing solutions in Canada."

"Enhanced by wireless Hotspot service in Canada, the Sony CLIÉ handheld affords customers even greater freedom to travel about while remaining connected to e-mail and the Internet," said Samuel Yip, Product Manager, CLIÉ handheld, Audio Visual/Information Technology Group, Sony of Canada Ltd. "The combination of wireless connectivity and expandability amongst selected models of the CLIÉ handheld product line empowers our customers to be more productive at home, at work or on the road."

"Powered by the wireless Hotspot services offered by Fatport and Spotnik, the VAIO notebook PC truly is a portable office solution, offering complete connectivity with no sacrifice," said Puneet Jain, Product Manager, VAIO Notebook Personal Computers, Audio Visual/Information Technology Group, Sony of Canada Ltd. "VAIO notebook customers who purchase wireless LAN Hotspot service will have a solution affords them total virtual office capability."

"We are thrilled to offer HotSpot connectivity to Sony's CLIÉ and VAIO customers," said Michael Kuhlmann, Vice President, Business Development, FatPort Corporation. "The combination of Sony's stylish Wi-Fi devices and our extensive WLAN services represents an unbeatable solution for Canadians who want to stay connected while out of their homes and offices."

"Sony's leadership in converging information technology and consumer electronics is greatly enhanced by offering Hotspot connectivity to its CLIÉ and VAIO customers," said Murray McCaig, Co-CEO, Spotnik Mobile Inc. "Our WLAN services will considerably enhance the ownership experience associated with these products because of its ability to afford them Internet access wherever they go."

About FatPort

FatPort is Canada's most extensive wireless Internet service provider (WISP) and provider of Wi-Fi (802.11b) turnkey solutions. FatPort's custom-built FatPoint wireless access point enables location owners to quickly establish a commercial FatZone. In each FatZone, anyone with a wireless-enabled laptop or PDA may access the Internet at speeds many times faster than cellular networks. FatPort is now offering Voice over IP through its newly formed division, mobitus. FatPort is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ignition Point Technologies Corporation (TSX-VEN: IPN). (www.fatport.com).

About Spotnik Mobile

Spotnik Mobile provides high-speed public wireless Internet service wherever mobile professionals need access to critical information while on-the-go. Spotnik, together with TELUS Mobility, is building a national network of Wi-Fi (802.11b) HotSpots in premium locations such as transportation facilities, hotels, conference centers, commercial properties and cafés. For more information and a complete list of our extensive network of Spotnik HotSpots, please visit www.spotnikmobile.com.

About Sony of Canada Ltd.

Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in the manufacture and marketing of electronic and computer products for consumer, business, electronics publishing and multimedia applications on a global scale. With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal, and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, approximately 1,200 employees support more than 70 Sony stores and a network of more than 3,000 authorized dealers across Canada.

For further information, please visit us at www.sony.ca, www.thesonystore.ca, www.sonybiz.ca or www.sonystyle.ca, Sony's product information and e-commerce Web site, or contact: