Airspan Succeeds in First-Ever Multi-Band Mobile WiMAX Handover
Creating One-of-a-Kind Opportunities for Mobile WiMAX Operators
BOCA RATON, FL--(Marketwire - November 25, 2008) - Airspan Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a
leading provider of
WiMAX-based broadband wireless access networks, announced today that it has
successfully demonstrated a unique, seamless, uninterrupted handover from
one frequency band on a mobile WiMAX network to another frequency band.
A handover is the terminology used to define the seamless transfer of a
wireless device from one base station to another without loss or
interruption of service. A handover would be conducted when a user device
is moving away from the area covered by one base station and entering the
area covered by another.
This groundbreaking achievement is extraordinarily beneficial to both
end-users as well as network operators. As mobile WiMAX deployments become
more common, users will benefit from the ability to transfer from one
operating network to another. For instance, in the United States, a user
with an Airspan MiMAX USB device connected to their laptop may be able to
roam from a license-exempt 3.65 GHz network into a national, license-owned
2.5 GHz WiMAX network.
Carriers and operators will benefit from the option to deploy a single,
large mobile WiMAX network using two or more frequency bands. In many
regions, the availably of 2.5 GHz is limited. Now operators can aggregate
spectrum to allow significant expansion of coverage and roaming
capabilities. A carrier, for example, could begin with a small allocation
at 2.3 or 2.5 GHz and add a larger, often more affordable, allocation at
3.X GHz or even 5 GHz.
Users of wireless networks are typically confined to handovers within a
single operating frequency band. Switching between bands with a cellular
phone today, for example, requires changing networks and forces the user to
drop their connection before they are able to restart on a new network for
the new band. By enabling seamless handover between two frequencies, the
showcased solution has demonstrated just how revolutionary WiMAX is proving
to be. The demonstration network is using the Airspan HiperMAX base
station in 3.6 GHz frequency band and the MacroMAXe base station in the 2.5
GHz band communicating with a MiMAX Q-Series quad-band USB device connected
to a laptop roaming between the two base stations.
Staged in the UK, this achievement was performed with the collaboration of
long-term customer and partner FREEDOM4 and strategic partners Starent
Networks, using their Access Service Network (ASN) gateway for connection
management, and Bridgewater Systems, using their subscriber management
solution that delivers carrier-grade authentication, authorization, and
accounting (AAA) services.
Graham Currier, Chief Operating Officer at FREEDOM4, stated, "Airspan's
Quad-Band MiMAX device creates a new paradigm for European WiMAX operators.
Airspan's technology allows us to combine the reach of the 2.6 GHz
frequency band with our large block of 3.6 GHz to create a spectrum
position that can deliver a true broadband experience for mobile users. We
can deliver speeds and capacities many times greater than operators using
evolved 3G HSPA technologies."
Paul Senior, Chief Technology Officer of Airspan, commented, "We are very
pleased to have succeeded in this world's first demonstration with
FREEDOM4. Confirming Airspan's WiMAX innovation and technology leadership
position, this achievement permanently changes the landscape of mobile
WiMAX and its possibilities."
This milestone is timely and relevant for European operators, as 2.5
GHz/2.6 GHz spectrum will be auctioned/allocated in almost all European
countries over the next 24-26 months, and typically up to 50 MHz of 2.5 GHz
TDD spectrum (suitable for WiMAX) is available. The 2.6 GHz auction in the
UK will likely happen in the first half of 2009.
Although this particular handover demonstration operated between the 2.5
and 3.6 GHz bands, Airspan equipment can support this type of handover
between all the major WiMAX bands -- 2.3, 2.5, 3.3, 3.4-3.6, 3.6-3.8, and 5
GHz bands.
About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan is the industry's leading WiMAX pure player, ranked #1 for
IEEE802.16-2004 WiMAX revenue in 2007 and has now been selected for some of
the world's largest mobile WiMAX deployments. 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 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,"
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the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking
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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. 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 December 31, 2007 and in the Company's 2008
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. 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.
About FREEDOM4
FREEDOM4, a joint venture between Pipex Communications and Intel Capital,
is a provider of personal wireless broadband services without boundaries.
With a national license to deploy WiMAX services in the 3.6 GHz band,
FREEDOM4 is working closely with businesses and local authorities to build
the necessary infrastructure to provide broadband wireless internet access
across the UK.
FREEDOM4 has partnerships with some of the leading names in wireless
technologies and telecommunications, including Intel Corporation, Airspan
Networks, Nokia Siemens Networks, and National Grid Wireless to provide
WiMAX services to nomadic workers, businesses and SOHOs via a scalable and
resilient network. For further information, visit www.freedom4.com.
Contact Information: For Investor Relations inquiries, contact:
David Brant
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Airspan Networks Inc.
Tel: +1 561 893-8650
Fax: +1 561 893-8681
Email: dbrant@airspan.com
For media inquiries, contact:
Dori Erann
Director of Marketing Communications
Airspan Networks Inc.
Tel. +1.561.893.8687
Fax: +1.561.893.8671
Email: derann@airspan.com