Airspan Announces Air4G 1.8 GHz Base Station for Smart Grid Applications in Canada

Introducing High Performance Base Station and CPE Portfolio in the 1.8 GHz Band


LONG BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - May 11, 2011) - UTC Telecom 2011 -- Airspan Networks Inc., a leading provider of broadband wireless access networks, announced today the introduction of Air4G, for the 1.8 GHz frequency band. Air4G supports both 4G WiMAX and 4G LTE radio interfaces in an extremely compact, all-in-one base station, allowing utilities to minimize operational expenses while maximizing capacity and range.

The Air4G family covers an extensive range of frequencies and is now augmented by the 1.8 GHz product to specifically address the needs of Canadian Utilities who have dedicated access to the 1.8 GHz band which the government allocated to them for building Smart Grid networks.

Air4G is an ideal platform for utility applications in difficult deployment areas, as it combines powerful 2 x10W transmitters and 4 receiver chains, delivering up to fourth order diversity on the downlink and eighth order diversity on the uplink. This enables the product to support a range of Smart Grid applications, such as direct-to-the-meter AMI, AMI backhaul, SCADA, Teleprotection and Distribution Automation.

Air4G's unique abilities include the support for dual-mode WiMAX and LTE operation permitting utilities planning to transition their networks to LTE, to move at their own pace. With a compact, all-outdoor design, Air4G is designed for quick, easy and affordable deployment meeting tight time and cost requirements. Air4G is ruggedized and able to withstand harsh weather and environmental conditions.

In addition to the Air4G 1.8 GHz base station, Airspan has also introduced a variety of WiMAX 1.8 GHz end-user devices including the MiMAX-Pro outdoor CPE, the MRT, a hardened mobile radio terminal designed for vehicle mounting, and an advanced 802.16e embedded multi-band module.

"One of Airspan's differentiating strengths is the wide variety of bands our equipment operates in," said Amit Ancikovsky, President of Products and Sales for Airspan. "The addition of the 1.8 GHz band allows us to target a range of new customers in places like Canada. Canadian utilities will now be able to incorporate direct-to-meter connectivity currently being used with the Air4G base stations in other bands, such as 2.3 GHz in Australia."

Air4G operates in frequency bands ranging from 700 MHz up to 3.8 GHz, and supports both FDD and TDD duplexing. Air4G is on display at UTC Telecom 2011 show in Long Beach until May 12 in Booth 342.

About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan (PINKSHEETS: AIRO) is a leading 4G wireless solution provider. With over 500 customers in over 100 countries and as a top vendor for carrier-class broadband wireless solutions, Airspan is recognized as a leader and pioneer in 4G and broadband wireless technologies. Providing an expansive product portfolio, Airspan offers customers the widest selection of 4G products in the industry with an unsurpassed level of technology to benefit their business case. Airspan has solutions spanning the 700 MHz to 6 GHz frequency bands. www.airspan.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. 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. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact Information:

For Media Inquiries, contact:
Dori Erann
Senior Director Marketing Communications
Airspan Networks Inc.
Tel. +1 561.893.8687
Email: derann@airspan.com

4G in 1.8 GHz for utilities in Canada