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BOCA RATON, FL—DECEMBER 23, 2004 --
Airspan Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRN), a leading worldwide provider
of broadband wireless access networks, including WiMAX standard
systems, today announced the completion of the sale of a WipLL-based
broadband data network to Neda Telecommunications of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Neda Telecommunications is the first and the largest ISP in Afghanistan,
with a solid and rapidly growing customer base providing reliable
broadband wireless "last mile" solutions for the NGO,
business and residential communities. The company is a subsidiary
of Aspen Wind Corporation, a US-based trade and finance company
with offices in New York, London and Moscow.
Under its contract with Neda, Airspan has delivered base stations
and related subscriber packet radios for deployment in Kabul.
Airspan has also provided AS3030 for the network backbone. The
AS3030 is a high-performance OFDM-based broadband wireless system
designed to provide point-to-point operation. It will be used
in the Neda network to relay bandwidth throughout Kabul’s
highly mountainous terrain to provide a complete service throughout
the city...
Neda is using the WipLL network to supply high speed Internet
access services from 64Kbits - 2Mbits, capable of delivering video
conferencing solutions, e-mail and web browsing solutions, host
FTP / web server solutions and live newscast feed solutions for
the NGO, business and residential markets in Kabul. The equipment
is operating in the 2.7-2.9Ghz band, frequencies for which Neda
has exclusive radio license rights across the whole of Afghanistan.
Charles Tryon, chief executive officer of Neda, said: “We
are very pleased to have been able to deploy Airspan solutions
in our network in Afghanistan. Airspan was very quick to provide
us with a solution in our licensed frequencies, allowing us to
expand the network in time to meet the rapidly growing demand
in Kabul for broadband services from the growing private business
and government sectors. The flexibility designed into the system
allows us to meet their diverse voice, data and video needs on
one platform, and the reliability of the network provides a quality
of service unmatched in the country.”
According to Henrik Smith Petersen, Airspan’s President Asia
Pacific, the transaction is expected to be the initial step in
Neda’s rollout of broadband internet and voice services in
other major cities in Afghanistan. “We believe that with
Airspan’s quality wireless products we can branch out throughout
Afghanistan and bring the internet to the remaining four major
cities, capitalizing on our strong growth since the change of
government.
Airspan's WipLL platform is a low-cost high-performance Fixed
Wireless Access system designed to deliver high-speed data, Voice
over IP (VoIP) and multimedia services to residential, small business
and enterprise customers. WipLL is capable of delivering burst
data speeds of up to 4 Mbps (3.2Mbps net) to each customer. WipLL
introduces real-time adaptive modulation (2-, 4-, 8-level FSK)
and auto retransmission request (ARQ); features that offer high
quality services whilst maximizing spectrum utilization. WipLL
is available in both licensed bands (700 MHz, 2.5GHz, 2.7-2.9GHz
and 3.4-3.8GHz) and unlicensed bands (900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz).
About Neda Telecommunications
In January 2003, Neda Telecommunications Company, a part of Neda
Holding, became the first official license holder from the Ministry
of Communications of Afghanistan, established as an Internet Provider
with emphasis on Internet Systems Solutions. Today, Neda Telecommunications
Company is well established in Kabul and other major cities of
Afghanistan, expanding its reach to smaller areas. Being an undisputable
leader among existing ISPs in Afghanistan, with top of the range
equipment and facilities and a qualified responsive team of professionals,
Neda Telecommunications Company provides high quality Internet
services to hundreds of business and personal subscribers.
For more information, please visit: http://www.neda.af/
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. Airspan’s systems
are based on radio technology that delivers excellent area coverage,
high security and resistance to fading. Airspan’s 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
our single largest existing customer; (vii) our ability to continue
to sell the existing inventory of Nortel Network’s fixed
wireless business on purchase terms and conditions comparable
to those currently utilized, and (viii) specific to this press
release, Airspan’s ability to successfully produce and distribute
its WipLL product in the 2.7-2.9GHz frequency; Neda’s ability
to deploy the networks sold and 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
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