Metricom Files for Chapter 11

Metricom Inc., a provider of high-speed wireless data service, said Monday that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will seek to restructure its business and debt while maintaining operations.

The San Jose company, a pioneer in offering wireless Internet access to computer users, has struggled to encourage customers to subscribe to a higher-speed version of its system, called Ricochet.

Separately, the Nasdaq Stock Market said shortly after Metricom’s announcement that it was requesting more information from the company. Trading in the stock had been halted pending the announcement and will not resume until Metricom has fully satisfied its request, Nasdaq said.

Before trading was suspended, Metricom’s shares were up 9 cents at $1.82.