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Airspan
and CGC Successfully Deploy WiMAX and Wi-Fi With Qatar Telecom at the
15th Asian Games Doha 2006
Other Topics: WiMAX Networks India, WiMAX Licenses,
Motorola WiMAX Solutions
MARKET WIRE
January 2, 2007
Boca Raton, FL -- Airspan Networks Inc (NASDAQ: AIRN) today announced it
successfully deployed its world-leading combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution at
the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. The network was built and operated
by Airspan and its partner, Consolidated Gulf Co. W.L.L. ("CGC"), for
Qatar Telecom ("QTel").
Qatar Telecom (QTEL), which is an existing Airspan AS4020 customer,
selected Airspan's WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution from a joint proposal submitted
in a competitive tender process by Airspan and CGC. Airspan supplied its
MacroMAX and MicroMAX -- System-on-a-Chip ("SOC") base stations, which
connected to 300 ProST / Wi-Fi customer access points to create HotZones
across the sites where the Games took place. The MicroMAX-SOC, Airspan's
latest WiMAX base station, is the first low-cost WiMAX solution to be
sold to the carrier, enterprise, and defense markets. |
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The network was used to
provide international news media with high-speed Internet access for
data, VoIP and multimedia (picture/video clips) transmissions. Users
obtained Internet access primarily through the Wi-Fi HotZones, which
were backhauled by WiMAX to the Internet. Direct WiMAX access was also
available for high-bandwidth applications. The network provided viewers
with real-time, live news updates, and instant event coverage through
the uploading to media websites of pictures and recorded video clips for
special events.
Commenting on this highly successful, high-profile deployment, Eric
Stonestrom, CEO of Airspan Networks, said that, "Airspan was delighted
to have been chosen by QTel for the very important task of providing
broadband wireless connectivity to the world's leading media during the
fifteen days of games in Doha. With CGC as our partner, we worked
tirelessly to ensure that the solution set the standard by which
internet connectivity and communications at other events will be
measured."
Mr. Anil Mahajan, Head of Business Development of CGC, said: "Airspan's
world-class WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution was the ideal platform to provide a
broadband wireless solution on the mass scale required for the Games.
CGC successfully integrated WiMAX into QTel's core IP network, and the
solution enabled thousands of stories, pictures and videos to be sent
out by world's media, communicating in real time the dramatic events and
spectacle that the games created."
"We are pleased to have been part of QTEL's WiMAX broadband wireless
access network during the 15th Asian Games 2006. We provided a total
turnkey solution and ensured high speed NLOS broad band wireless access
and high capacity backhaul to numerous WiFi Access Points. Our fully
integrated WiMAX Forum Certified ProST WiMAX/WiFi integrated outdoor CPE
solution was deployed at all games venues spread throughout Doha. I
would like to take this opportunity to highlight that we are impressed
by QTel's progressive initiative and vision of providing ubiquitous
broadband wireless access services in Qatar. While others are planning
or trialing WiMAX in the region, QTEL did it. And being the leading
telecom operator is undoubtedly the first telecom operator in the region
to successfully deploy WiMAX on such a large scale. This is indeed an
excellent landmark achievement by QTEL and we are proud to be part of
it," said Rizwan Butt, Director Sales for Middle East and North Africa
of Airspan Networks Inc., Dubai, UAE.
After the conclusion of the Games, the Airspan network was re-deployed
in the city of Doha and at other locations in Qatar, and will provide a
lasting legacy of high performance broadband wireless for the citizens
of Qatar.
WiMAX™, WiMAX Forum™ and WiMAX Forum Certified™ are trademarks of the
WiMAX Forum.
About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan Networks provides fixed and wireless voice and data systems and
solutions, including Voice Over IP (VoIP). Its wireless products serve
operators around the world in both licensed and unlicensed frequency
bands between 700 MHz and 6 GHz, including both PCS and 3.5GHz
international bands. Airspan has a strong wireless product roadmap that
includes products meeting 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards, and WiMAX Forum
Certified™ equipment that includes software upgradeability to the Mobile
WiMAX™ 802.16e-2005 standard. Airspan is on the Board and is a founder
member of the WiMAX Forum and a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance. The
Company has deployments in more than 100 countries with more than 400
operators, 100 of which use Airspan's WiMAX Forum Certified™ and
non-certified products. Airspan's wireless systems are based on radio
technology that delivers excellent area coverage, high security and
resistance to fading. These systems can be deployed rapidly and cost
effectively, providing an attractive alternative to traditional wired
communications networks. Airspan's AS.TONE VoIP system is a carrier
class, turnkey solution that provides carriers with Class 4, Class 5 and
IP-Centrex solutions and has a Softswitch and Gateways supporting
SIP/H323 and SIP. AS.Tone's design provides customers, carriers,
next-generation telcos, cellular providers and ITSP with a wide range of
solutions with the best price/performance system for IP telephony.
Airspan also offers radio planning, network installation, integration,
training and support services to facilitate the deployment and operation
of its systems. Airspan is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with its
main operations center in Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
More information on Airspan can be found at http://www.airspan.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than
statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our
strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues,
projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, may be
deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates,"
"believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans,"
"projects," "will," "would" and similar expressions or negative
variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying
words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations
disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place
undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of
important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the
forward-looking statements we make. Investors and others are therefore
cautioned that a variety of factors, including certain risks, may affect
our business and cause actual results to differ materially from those
set forth in the forward-looking statements. These risk factors include,
without limitation, (i) a slowdown of expenditures by communication
service providers; (ii) increased competition from alternative
communication systems; (iii) the failure of our existing or prospective
customers to purchase products as projected; (iv) our inability to
successfully implement cost reduction or containment programs; (v) the
potential loss of Axtel and Yozan as our largest customers; and specific
to this press release, (vi) our potential inability to locate and secure
additional sources of capital at the time and in the amount needed;
(vii) the possibility that Yozan will materially delay or cancel future
equipment orders; (viii) our inability to cancel certain component
orders and/or to use or sell any excess inventory we accumulate as a
result of the Yozan contract amendment; and (ix) disruption to our
operations in Israel, including the absence of employees due to required
military service caused by political and military tensions in Israel and
the Middle East. The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties
described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December,
2005 and on its Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 2, 2006, July 2,
2006 and October 1, 2006. You should read those factors as being
applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they
appear in this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements. |
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