1


EXHIBIT 99.3

METRICOM CONTACT:
Jonathan Moore
408.282.3035


 Metricom to Terminate Network Operations; Implements Further Staff Reductions

SAN JOSE, CA, AUGUST 2, 2001 - Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCOMQ), a high-speed
wireless data services company, today announced plans to shut down its Ricochet
wireless data network operations in all of its markets. The Company also
announced an immediate staff reduction of 282 employees. Following yesterday's
hearing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Jose, the Company's Board of
Directors determined to cease operation of the Company's Ricochet network on
Wednesday, August 8, 2001, to conduct an orderly wind down of the Company's
business and to sell its assets. The sale of the Company's technology assets is
expected to be conducted by auction on August 16, 2001.

Metricom's remaining employees will carry out an orderly shutdown of the network
over the next three weeks. In addition, a small team will remain with the
Company through the end of October 2001 to oversee the liquidation process.

SUBSCRIBERS
The Company anticipates that the Ricochet network will cease operation after
Wednesday, August 8, 2001 and that subscribers will have access to e-mail
accounts reliant on the Ricochet network until that time. For subscription
information, subscribers should contact their Ricochet service provider.

RESELLERS
To assist with an orderly wind down of operations, the Company intends to work
with its resellers and channel partners during the transition period prior to
the network's shutdown on August 8, 2001.

                                    - more -

   2

The Company will not be providing any additional comment at this time. For
further information, please visit the Metricom Web site at www.metricom.com.

ABOUT METRICOM
Metricom, Inc. is a high-speed wireless data company. 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 has enabled Metricom to develop
the fastest wireless mobile data networking and technology commercially
available today. Ricochet has been operating since 1995 at speeds up to 28.8
kbps. The new Ricochet, delivering user speeds of 128 kbps, is currently
available in thirteen markets and is connected to two other 28.8 kbps service
areas (Seattle and Washington DC) to increase coverage for mobile professionals.

Metricom, MCDN, and Ricochet are registered trademarks of Metricom, Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Statements made or implied in this press release that are not historical facts,
including those related to the Chapter 11 proceeding, the liquidation process,
the network shutdown, the Company's ability to continue to have its securities
listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market or successfully restructure its debt
operations, successfully realize any strategic alternatives or successfully
emerge from the Chapter 11 proceeding and whether its channel partners and
resellers will continue to provide access services to their end user subscribers
are forward looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and
uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth
in these statements. Among other things, additional competition from existing
and future competitors may impact the market. Information is provided based on
certain assumptions that management believes to be reasonable at this time. All
forward-looking statements are subject to risk that the actions or strategies
described will not be successfully completed. In addition to the factors set
forth elsewhere in this press release, the economic, competitive, governmental,
technological and other factors identified in Metricom's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the risk that plans for future
operations may change due to unanticipated developments, actions that Nasdaq may
take regarding the proposed de-listing from The Nasdaq Stock Market, risks
resulting from existing or future litigation, could affect the forward-looking
statements contained in this press release.