|
BOCA RATON, FLSEPTEMBER 28, 2004 --
Airspan Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRN), a leading worldwide provider
of broadband fixed wireless DSL networks, announced today that
it has sold its WipLL 700 MHz Broadband Wireless Access systems
through Stutler Technologies, its Authorized System Integrator,
to Green Hills Telephone, Blue Valley Telephone, S&T Telephone,
Craw-Kan Telephone, Rainbow Telephone and Mobius Communications
Corporation.
In June 2003, the FCC auctioned licenses at 700 MHz for use in
broadband communications initiatives in the United States. The
frequencies were being vacated by UHF television operators who
were moving their signals to digital TV in other frequencies.
Rural telecommunications providers like Green Hills Telephone,
Blue Valley Telephone, S&T Telephone, Craw-Kan Telephone,
Mobius Communications Corporation, NE Nebraska Telephone and Rainbow
Telephone purchased some of these licenses, seeking this low-frequency
spectrum to offer wireline-equivalent services to subscribers
in rural America by means of wireless access networks. They have
now acquired Airspans WipLL platform to roll out their services
in the 700MHz band to their customers in Missouri, Kansas, and
Nebraska. Those customers will receive Broadband Internet access
as well as other integrated services such as Voice over IP.
According to Donn Swedenburg, Technology Consultant for RVW Inc.,
700 MHz is an ideal frequency for last-mile Broadband Wireless
Access. RVW, which has advised a number of the providers in their
selection of the Airspan platform, has been encouraging its clients
who own the spectrum to begin deploying systems as soon as possible.
We feel that the reliability, performance and price of Airspans
700 MHz products provide the best package of features, performance
and value available today in broadband multipoint distribution
systems , he said.
Dave Kirk, Sales Director for Stutler Technologies, says that
Stutler is also very pleased with field deployments of Airspans
WipLL 700 MHz products. Stutler has installed non-line of sight
links with WipLL at ranges greater than 18 miles, and the signals
have experienced minimal degradation. This combination of
range and NLOS capability, paired with WipLLs low-cost and
modular infrastructure, allows spectrum owners like Green Hills,
Blue Valley, S&T, Craw-Kan, Rainbow, and Mobius to increase
their market penetration for advanced telecommunications services
in a very cost-effective manner.
Green Hills Telephone acquired the 700 MHz spectrum to enable
it to increase its market area and range of services, according
to Chuck Erke, Information Systems Manager for Green Hills. The
company has found that the modular base station architecture and
high-performance subscriber equipment of Airspan products creates
a strong business case for providing advanced broadband services
to its customers. The company had no hesitation in choosing a
broadband wireless architecture from Airspan that enables it to
offer subscribers value-added services such as Voice over IP and
Virtual LANs. The company expects to achieve substantial cost
savings using Airspan solutions to reach its service areas.
We are very encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response
the 700 MHz spectrum owners have given us on our product,
said Dick Lee, General Manager and Vice President of Airspans
North American Sales group. These sales reflect the considerable
value that our system integrators, of which Stutler Technologies
was a pioneer, bring to our business. The speed with which our
700 MHz products have found acceptance among US operators, together
with the very successful introduction of our 900 MHz WipLL product
line in 2003, is evidence of this value. The integrators have
dramatically increased our North American business, and we expect
further growth as we continue to add new distribution channels
to the market.
About Stutler Technologies
Stutler Technologies, Corp. based out of Emporia, Kansas is a
turn-key systems integrator with services ranging from wireless
path analysis to complete backhaul, broadband, and network installation
and tower services. Stutler has a strong telephony background
and works with telephone operating companies, commercial businesses,
cities, schools, and WISPs coast to coast. Stutler Technologies,
Corp. has built over 20 Airspan WipLL networks in the last year.
More information on Stutler can be found at
http://www.stutler.net
About Green Hills
Green Hills Companies of Breckenridge, Missouri, provide telephone,
long distance, cable TV, and toll-free Internet service to North
Central Missouri rural communities. Green Hills plans on using
their 700 MHz spectrum to provide commercial grade internet services
and potentially dial tone to areas currently not being reached
by fiber and copper.
About RVW Inc
RVW is a professional telecommunications engineering firm that
assists ILECs and CLECs in adapting technology to
both traditional and emerging markets. More information on RVW
can be found at http://www.rvwinc.com
About Airspan Networks, Inc.
Airspan Networks provides wireless voice and data systems and
solutions, including Voice Over IP (VoIP), to both licensed and
unlicensed operators around the world in frequency bands between
700 MHz and 6 GHz, including both PCS and 3.5GHz international
bands. Airspan has a strong product evolution roadmap that includes
offerings compliant with the new 802.16-2004 standard, and with
built-in 802.16e capability. Airspan is on the Board and a founder
member of the WiMAX Forum. The Company has deployments with more
than 200 operators in more than 70 countries. Airspans systems
are based on radio technology that delivers excellent area coverage,
high security and resistance to fading. Airspans systems
can be deployed rapidly and cost effectively, providing an attractive
alternative to traditional wired communications networks. 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) a loss of any of our key customers; (vi) our ability to retain
the largest existing customer of Nortel Networks fixed wireless
business; (vii) our ability to continue to sell the existing inventory
of Nortel Networks fixed wireless business on purchase terms
and conditions comparable to those currently utilized, and (viii)
specific to this press release, Airspans ability to successfully
produce and distribute its product in the 700MHz frequency; Stutlers
ability to deploy the networks sold; and the end-users ability
to sell services on the networks and to pay for the equipment.
The Company is also 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 December 31,
2003. 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..
For Investment and Media Inquiries,
contact:
Peter Aronstam
Chief Financial Officer
Airspan Networks,
Inc.
Tel: +1 561 893-8682
Fax: +1 561 893-8671
Email: paronstam@airspan.com
|