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Airspan and Yozan to Build Japan's First WiMAX Network; Combined WiMAX and Wi-Fi Solution Will Deliver Self-installable Voice, Video and Data Services

by Staff Writer | posted on 19 March 2005


HANOVER, Germany -- March 11, 2005--Airspan Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:AIRN), a leading provider of broadband wireless solutions, and YOZAN Inc. (Jasdaq:6830), a leading telecommunications operator providing services throughout the Tokyo Metropolitan area, have reached an agreement to deploy a Tokyo-wide WiMAX network. The Yozan MetroZone will deliver high speed IP connectivity, and support Voice, Video and broadband data services.


Airspan and Yozan will commence trials of AS.MAX products in the second quarter of 2005 and commercial rollout will begin in the fourth quarter of the year, to be ready for a December 2005 launch. Airspan expects to complete deliveries of the base stations by the end of March 2006. The contract is valued in excess of $12 million.

The initial network will be based on a rollout of 600 cells in central Tokyo, and it will gradually expand to provide coverage throughout the greater Tokyo Metropolitan area and surrounding eight prefectures. This project will use Airspan's software-upgradeable radio technology, which will initially support 802.16-2004 and will later be upgraded to support 802.16e. Customers on this network will use Airspan's unique Self-Installable Indoor WiMAX customer premises equipment ("CPE"), called EasyST. This CPE provides WiMAX connectivity to the Base Station and Wi-Fi coverage inside the customer premises via its integrated Wi-Fi Access Point.

Henrik Smith-Petersen, President of Asia Pacific for Airspan Networks, said: "This network, in one of the world's top five cities, will be the first major deployment of a WiMAX Metropolitan Area Network. We are extremely pleased to be able to partner with Yozan, whose vision of pervasive broadband we share."

Mr. Takatori, Yozan's President and CEO said: "Yozan will provide its customers in Tokyo with a brand-new type of broadband service that can support IP Phones, video services and Nomadic and Portable broadband. We are pleased to be working with Airspan Networks, the leading provider of WiMAX equipment."

About Airspan Networks Inc.

Airspan Networks provides wireless voice and data systems and solutions, including Voice Over IP (VoIP), to 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 product roadmap that includes offerings compliant with the new WiMAX 802.16-2004 standard, and software upgradeability to 802.16e from the time the WiMAX products are introduced. Airspan is on the Board and a founder member of the WiMAX Forum. The Company has deployments with more than 300 operators in more than 95 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 centre in Uxbridge, United Kingdom.

More information on Airspan can be found at http://www.airspan.com

About Yozan Inc.

YOZAN Inc. is a venture company that owns and operates licensed-frequencies over PHS (1.9GHz) and pager (280MHz) networks. The company is focused to expand its telecommunications business by building a wireless IP network through the renovation of its PHS infrastructure and to offer IP-based mobile handset services throughout the Tokyo Metropolitan Area using WiMAX-based equipment. YOZAN is poised to stir new business opportunities in Japan and dedicated to contribute to the reinforcement of WiMAX as a global standard. Yozan is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

More information on Yozan can be found at http://www.yozan.co.jp


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