Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading provider of
broadband wireless access networks, publicized today the
availability of the industry's most complete FCC and Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) certified lineup of fixed and mobile WiMAX
Base Stations and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) for the U.S.
rural market. This announcement follows the just-signed American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act that has placed significant emphasis
on rural broadband. RUS approval is obtained from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, affirming Rural Development acceptance
and "Buy American" status of equipment. Airspan is among a select
few WiMAX equipment manufacturers with this coveted "Buy America"
status.
"Airspan has been recognized by leading WiMAX industry analysts
as the market leader in rural America," said Declan Byrne,
Airspan's Chief Marketing Officer. "Following the recent
legislation, many of our existing customers are positioning our
WiMAX equipment to the grant and loan-making authorities of the
Departments of Commerce and Agriculture. In addition, we are
working to bring together an industry-leading consortium of
operators, systems integrators and grant-writing and
loan-application partners to assist rural operators in attaining
funds from the stimulus legislation, and to deploy broadband
networks in a targeted and timely manner."
Airspan has been serving rural America for several years
already, with broadband wireless equipment deployed in 43 states.
Airspan is currently providing equipment to the largest 3.65 GHz
rural network in the country being deployed by FairPoint
Communications in New England. Airspan has RUS approved and FCC
certified products ready to deploy to help rural residents and
businesses get connected. Supporting bandwidth-intensive services
such as high-speed Internet access, Internet telephony (VoIP) and
video streaming, Airspan's WiMAX solutions allow for an easy, quick
and affordable deployment of a broadband network.
"Wireless broadband is an ideal technology for rural America,"
commented Declan Byrne. "Whereas other technologies such as cable
and DSL require digging trenches and laying down cables to reach
these remote areas, which can be very costly and time consuming,
WiMAX base stations can be easily set up to service a rural and
dispersed subscriber base with immediate connectivity. We are
aligned with the stimulus bill's broadband intentions of reaching
rural and underserved Americans quickly with quality
connectivity."
"Broadband for the rural market will be a key focus in the next
12-18 months, and WiMAX in 3.65 GHz will be a leading technology
choice due to the recent deregulation of the frequency and the
economic characteristics of WiMAX," said Emmy Johnson, Founder
& Principal Analyst of Sky Light Research. "Equipment vendors
that have successfully demonstrated their ability to provide a
strong wireless product offering will benefit the most. Sky Light's
quarterly market share research, in conjunction with Synergy
Research Group, shows that the 3.65 GHz WiMAX market demonstrated
triple digit growth in the first nine months of 2008, with Airspan
leading the market at more than 30 percent share."
Earlier this week 650 mainly rural television broadcasters
decided to move ahead with the transition from analog signals to
digital signals despite a government approved delay. "We are
encouraged by this decision, made by approximately one third of the
total 700 MHz broadcasters, which will allow our current customers
who hold this valuable spectrum to quickly deploy our WiMAX
equipment in this band," continued Declan Byrne.
J.J. Stutler, CEO of Stutler Technologies, a Kansas-based
wireless integrator, added, "Airspan has been a valuable partner
for Stutler in the last few years and we have made great progress
in reaching rural America. The stimulus package reserves $7.2
Billion for rural broadband, all of which must be allocated by
September 2010. We believe WiMAX is one of the only technologies
that can reasonably and cost-effectively reach the dispersed and
low-density population areas targeted by this bill. We are looking
forward to assisting current and future customers with this
growth."
Airspan joined the Organization for the Promotion and
Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO)
recently. OPASTCO is a group of hundreds of independent carriers
providing voice and data services in rural areas that are often
expensive to serve due to difficult terrain and low population
density. These innovative service providers use a variety of
technologies, including WiMAX, to extend broadband to customers in
hard to reach communities.
Airspan successfully passed FCC compliance tests for its 1.4 GHz
solution earlier this week. "This continues to underscore Airspan's
unique and complete offering of WiMAX solutions. Airspan now has
solutions for 700 MHz, 1.4-1.5, 3.65, 4.9, 5.4, and 5.8 GHz
frequency bands, and is the only WiMAX vendor covering all of these
bands," added Byrne. "We have welcomed the tremendous customer
response for our solutions and urge interested local exchange
carriers to contact us via our North American sales offices. The
legislation's intent to rapidly distribute broadband assistance is
evident and Airspan is ideally positioned to bring operators the
necessary spectrum, certified equipment, deployment partners and
grant-writing expertise in a timely and successful manner."
Operators seeking to deploy wireless broadband in rural United
States should contact Airspan at 561.893.8687 or email
sales@airspan.com. For more information on Airspan's rural
broadband WiMAX solution, visit
http://www.airspan.com/solutions_rural.aspx.
About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan is a leading WiMAX pure player and the solution-provider
of choice for some of the world's largest WiMAX deployments.
Developing leading-edge technology for broadband access and
IP-telephony, Airspan continues to supply operators around the
world with best-of-breed solutions. With direct sales offices
throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas, a worldwide network of
resellers and agents, and partnership alliances with major OEMs,
Airspan boasts over 100 commercial WiMAX deployments worldwide.
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
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therefore cautioned that a variety of factors, including certain
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The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in
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its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
and in the Company's 2008 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You
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For Investor Relations, contact: Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane
Investor Relations Tel. +561 395 4581 Email: clottomane@airspan.com
For Media Inquiries, contact: Dori Erann Director Marketing
Communications Airspan Networks Inc. Tel. +561.893.8687 Email:
derann@airspan.com
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