Airspan's WipLL 700 Broadband Access Equipment is Approved by RUS; Op

    Business Editors/Telecommunications Writers/Government
    Writers/Technology Editors

    BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2005--Airspan Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:AIRN), a leading provider of broadband wireless solutions, today announced that its WipLL 700MHz broadband wireless access system has been accepted by the Rural Utility Service (RUS) for purchases under the RUS Broadband Loan Program.
    Airspan's WipLL system provides a low-cost, high-performance point-to-multipoint IP-based Broadband Fixed Wireless (BFW) Access solution. WipLL provides wireless local-loop (last-mile) connectivity designed to deliver high-speed data, Voice over IP (VoIP), and multimedia services to residential, SOHO (small office/home office), and SME (small medium enterprise). WipLL offers service providers an integrated access solution, providing quick-to-market deployment and low-market entry cost for broadband services.
    Dick Lee, Airspan's Vice President and General Manager for North America, stated: "Our success in the US market with WipLL in the 700MHz and 900MHz frequency bands has been something to be proud of. Since we launched the product 18 months ago in North America, more than 40 network operators in the USA have installed WipLL products in their networks, and WipLL is recognized widely as `best of breed' for VoIP and data services. Now that WipLL qualifies for RUS funding, we will be able to address a larger US market, including rural operators who have successfully applied for RUS funding.
    The RUS program was established by the US Government to support deployment of broadband services in the rural regions in the United States that have difficulty in obtaining broadband data telecommunications connections and to close the digital divide gap. For the US Government's fiscal year, no less than $2.157 billion in loans and loan guarantees is available from RUS for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. Under the program, the minimum rate-of-data transmission must be 200 kilobits/sec in the customer's connection to the network, both downstream and upstream.
    Besides the WipLL Broadband Access solution, Airspan offers an end to end solution for varied broadband wireless access applications, including its newly launched AS.MAX family of WiMAX base stations, backhaul solutions and customer premises equipment.

    About Airspan Networks

    Airspan Networks is a worldwide leader in Broadband Access wireless communications, having delivered systems with more than 1 million lines of capacity to over 300 customers in more than 95 countries. Airspan's products are being used by carriers, service providers and in enterprise networks to deliver carrier-class voice, high-speed data and Voice over IP (VoIP) services. Airspan's product portfolio contains an extensive range of Point to Multipoint (PMP) and Point-to-Point (PtP) products covering both licensed and unlicensed bands between 700MHz and 6GHz, including both PCS and 3.5GHz international bands. Airspan is at the forefront of the WiMAX revolution as a founding member and Board member of the WiMAX Forum(TM).
    Airspan is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with its main operations center in Uxbridge, United Kingdom. For more information, please visit http://www.airspan.com.

    About the Rural Utilities Service (RUS)

    On March 4, 2005, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, announced funding available for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee program. For FY 2005, no less than $2.157 billion in loans is available, $2.032 billion for direct cost-of-money loans, $46 million for direct 4-percent loans, and $79 million for loan guarantees.
    More information can be found at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/broadband.htm

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CONTACT: Airspan Networks, Boca Raton Peter Aronstam, 561-893-8682 Fax: 561-893-8671 Email: paronstam@airspan.com

KEYWORD: FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GOVERNMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT SOURCE: Airspan Networks, Inc.

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