PR releases

Cedarcom deploys Mobi, the first true mobile broadband wireless access network in the Middle East

BEIRUT, Lebanon and KYOTO, Japan, December 11th, 2006. Cedarcom, the leading Lebanese telecommunications provider, and Kyocera Corporation, the Japanese high-tech manufacturer, announced today that Cedarcom has deployed Mobi™, the first true mobile broadband wireless access network in Lebanon and the Middle East using Kyocera’s iBurstTM technology. Cedarcom has extensive fixed wireless experience and through this move will harness the personal mobile broadband market.

Mobi™ in partnership with major ISPs in Lebanon offers users connectivity to a high-speed data communication network within a wireless broadband Internet environment. Its data downlink speed of up to 1 Mbps enables users enjoy high-speed data communications including all IP-based applications, browsing, emails, streaming video, e-CRM, etc within the service areas. The Mobi™ service is available initially within Greater Beirut and Jounieh and all their surrounding mountains. Mobi™ service will reach our friends in Tripoli, Faqra and Faraya within two weeks.

“Lebanon is about to experience magic! With Mobi™, the true mobile broadband or mobile ADSL, Lebanese business executives and internet aficionados will enjoy the liberty and freedom at true broadband speeds at affordable accessible prices for the first time in their lives. Our network infrastructure provides the performance, scalability and reliability to accommodate the needs of all corporate executives in need of mission-critical connectivity at all times and in all places. It also provides facility and ease of use for students and web surfers, and for that we have catered a wide range of business and residential service packages that suit the needs of our clients. The Mobi™ service area covers almost 1.5 million inhabitants and we will continue its expansion in the coming months,” said Imad M Tarabay, Chairman and CEO at Cedarcom.

“Mobi™ service appeals to a vast sector among the internet users in Lebanon, including executives in various vertical sectors, sales forces, consultants, reporters, site engineers, school and university students, etc. Several service plans are available from 256Kbps, 512Kbps and 1 Mbps – all at affordable fixed prices.” continued Tarabay.

“Prior to launching we did studies and tested several MBWA technologies and we found out that Kyocera’s iBurstTM technology, which is considered the pre-802.20 standard, is superior to all offerings out there, including WiMAX 802.16e, which has not seen light yet. iBurstTM offered us a comprehensive, high-performance IP-based wireless mobile broadband network and combines the reliability and scalability that we will need in the future to address our customers’ service needs,” continued Tarabay.

“We would like to express our respect and appreciation for Cedarcom, who has been taking great efforts to launch the country-first mobile wireless broadband service against all difficulties. Kyocera will support Cedarcom and contribute to Lebanon’s development in communications environment with our technology,” said Junichi Jinno, General Manager of Kyocera’s Corporate Communication Systems Equipment Group. “Cedarcom has obtained exclusive rights to Kyocera iBurstTM for Lebanon, Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sierra Leone and Liberia and we look forward to additional rollouts soon,” continued Junichi Jinno.

In the near future Cedarcom will extend and scale IP connectivity to provide its customers throughout Lebanon a diverse range of services including IP TV and other advanced data services. Cedarcom is rolling out the Mobi™ service in partnership with leading ISPs Cyberia, IDM, Sodetel, LYNX, and Broadband Plus among others.

About Cedarcom SAL

Cedarcom is the first and only Fixed Broadband Wireless Data Provider in Lebanon, providing a breadth of data communication, secure access and last mile solutions to the local industry. Cedarcom holds a wireless data networking license under decree number 10172, allowing the deployment and operation of a country-wide wireless data network with the advanced Broadband technology. Cedarcom has licensed spectrum in the 1.9 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 7.5 GHz frequency bands, and provides secure wireless access, data networking and last-mile solutions to banks, ISPs, ASPs, insurance companies, universities, multi-branch offices, etc. The company is the first wireless operator to deploy MPLS based services and MPLS VPN in the Middle East. For more information on Cedarcom, go to www.cedarcom.net and for more info on Mobi™ service please visit www.mobi.tm

About Kyocera Corporation

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO) was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining engineered ceramic materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera develops and manufactures semiconductor packages, electronic components, industrial ceramics, telecommunications equipment, optical instruments, laser printers, copiers and solar energy systems. Today, it has developed into a global enterprise with 183 group companies and more than 61,000 employees. Kyocera is the first company to commercialize the iBurstTM system, which was originally developed by Arraycomm, and is supplying iBurstTM Base Stations and User Terminals. It is aggressively rolling out the iBurstTM system in cooperation with service providers in many regions of the world. By the end of 1Q of 2007, 12 operators in 11 countries including the U.S.A. and Malaysia will have launched commercial service of iBurstTM. For more information, go to http://global.kyocera.com

About Partner ISPs

For more information about Cedarcom/ Mobi™ partner ISPs, please visit: