PR releases

ip.access GSM picocells deployed by new UK spectrum licensee FMS

Cambridge, UK, 07 December 2006 – ip.access ltd, a leading developer of in-building wireless picocell solutions, today announces that FMS Group is using nanoGSM technology to seize the market opportunities created by its new UK low-power spectrum license.

Using its own licensed spectrum, FMS is currently working with VPN specialist Excelerate Technology to deploy ip.access’ solution, creating the exclusive RapidNet GSM self-contained networks for the UK emergency services’ rapid deployment mobile incident command vehicles. nanoGSM uses IP-backhauled picocells to enhance GSM coverage and capacity.

It matches the 200mW power limit specified by Ofcom, who in April 2006 awarded FMS, along with eleven other companies, the licenses to provide low-power services throughout the UK with a 3.3MHz slice of GSM 1800 spectrum.

FMS also uses nanoGSM to serve private businesses, transportation, civil engineering and business continuity applications, as well as campus-style deployments for the public sector.

Richard Percy, director, FMS, commented, "With access to our own GSM spectrum, we can offer our customers the low-cost advantages of ip.access’ nanoGSM independently of the leading UK cellular operators. This gives our customers a high degree of flexibility and enables us to target other markets, including the lucrative and underserved SME market."

Mark Pittick, VP sales and marketing, ip.access, added, "The picocell market continues to gain momentum, with more and more operators deploying nanoGSM to improve services and increase average revenue per user. It is promising to see that FMS is already using its low-power spectrum license to its advantage."

Based in Cambridge, UK, ip.access ltd (www.ipaccess.com) is a leading manufacturer of cost-effective picocellular GSM, GPRS and EDGE and 3G infrastructure solutions, which integrate with standard broadband IP networks for backhaul. ip.access systems are live in over 15 networks around the world and many more are in the process of being deployed.

The femto3G™ product range enables mobile network operators to provide improved residential 3G voice and data coverage and deliver a pure-play cellular approach to fixed-mobile convergence. The nanoGSM® product range provides low-cost GSM coverage and capacity, to improve service quality in offices, shops and residential buildings. ip.access picocells can also provide coverage on passenger aircraft, ships and in remote rural areas using satellite backhaul.

ip.access counts Scottish Equity Partners, Intel Capital, Rothschild Gestion and Motorola among its shareholders.

The FMS Group (www.fmsgroup.co.uk) based in Thatcham, is an industry leader in mobile engineering services.

The company's portfolio of services is underpinned by experienced radio professionals, with backgrounds in a wide range of mobile technologies, roles and environments.

FMS Solutions Limited is a licensed operator in the GSM 1800 MHz band offering private GSM coverage into niche markets through our innovative solutions to meet customer’s requirements. Excelerate Technology (www.excelerate.info) is based in Cardiff, UK and is a specialist manufacturer and systems integrator of remote and mobile data connectivity enablement products in the product sectors of Satellite Broadband, GPRS and 3G.

It is the only mobile and satellite Value Added Reseller (VAR) in the world with its own Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology marketed under the name E2Work.

The company is Europe ’s No.1 provider of motorised fully automatic mobile satellite broadband VPN systems with customers in government, health, education, fire, police, security services and commerce.