Alvarion® and Open Range Sign a Multi-Year Contract for Equipment and Services Expected at Over $100 Million for 4G Network Across 17 States
Partnership to bring advanced broadband wireless services to 546
communities, representing largest RUS-funded WiMAX project to date
Mountain View, Calif., June 17, 2009 - Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ:ALVR), the
world's leading provider of WiMAX and wireless broadband solutions, today
announced it was selected by U.S. broadband wireless operator, Open Range
Communications Inc., for the nation's largest Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
funded deployment spanning 17 states, 546 rural communities, and reaching up to
6 million people. With this new broadband wireless network, Open Range will
begin offering state-of-the-art 4G services to un-served and underserved
customers across rural America in the fourth quarter of this year.
As part of this contract, expected to be more than US$100 million over a
five-year implementation, Alvarion will provide radio access equipment, customer
devices (CPE) and systems integration for Open Range's broadband wireless
network. In addition to selecting Alvarion for its market-leading WiMAX
platform, Open Range will rely on Alvarion's industry leadership and experience
for the end-to-end integration of the Open Range network solution, creating a
best-of-breed 4G network in rural America.
Open Range will offer Simply EasierSM wireless communications to subscribers
that will enable not only a hyper-connected Internet lifestyle, but also new
economic opportunities not possible before because of the lack of
infrastructure. Some of the unique attributes available through this "always on"
wireless broadband network include:
- Simple and instant service activation
- Voice and data capabilities
- WiFi for connectivity to existing PCs
- Highly secure network communication
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Open Range as they make history building 4G
broadband infrastructure in a large footprint to provide personalized broadband
services to consumers in un-served and underserved parts of the country," said
Tzvika Friedman, president and CEO of Alvarion. "Open Range's vision to connect
rural America will stimulate local development for many rural communities across
the US. Alvarion has a longstanding role enabling the delivery of broadband
services to consumers here in the US and abroad. With our full portfolio of
end-to-end, turnkey WiMAX solutions and extensive network deployment experience,
we are enabling operators around the globe to deliver affordable broadband
services to subscribers wherever they may reside."
The new Open Range 4G network, based on Alvarion's WiMAX Forum Certified™
802.16e BreezeMAX® solution, will be built with an all-IP architecture
leveraging the latest 4G technology. This solution will give millions of rural
Americans the ability to enjoy wireless broadband services across the
communities where they live and work.
"Open Range's unique business model focuses on delivering wireless high-speed
Internet and voice services to un-served and underserved communities," said Open
Range founder and CEO, Bill Beans Jr. "These communities require an innovative
partner with experience in delivering a wide array of simple, high quality, cost
effective, robust solutions that are scalable and sustainable. Alvarion's
passion and heritage in deploying wireless broadband globally with its expanded
advanced capabilities make them an ideal partner for Open Range."
Alvarion was the first WiMAX equipment supplier to receive USDA acceptance as
well as "Buy American" status from the USDA RUS for two of its BreezeMAX base
stations in July 2008. Both RUS and "Buy American" designations are required for
operators requesting federal funds from the Rural Broadband Access Loan program
for the purpose of purchasing and deploying broadband systems.
About Open Range Communications
Open Range is a broadband wireless provider using WiMAX technology to deliver
wireless broadband to un-served and underserved American communities. Open Range
plans to deliver portable and eventually mobile voice and Internet services to
customers within its robust WiMAX footprint. Within the next five years, Open
Range intends to serve 546 communities, making its services initially available
to approximately six million people. Open Range's wireless broadband network
solution will connect customers through licensed spectrum, enabling communities
to improve safety, economic growth, education, and quality of life and to remain
competitive in the age of constant communications. For more information, visit
www.openrangecomm.com.
About Alvarion
Alvarion (NASDAQ: ALVR) is the largest WiMAX pure-player with the most extensive
WiMAX customer base and over 250 commercial deployments around the globe.
Committed to growing the WiMAX market, the company offers solutions for a wide
range of frequency bands supporting a variety of business cases. Through its
OPEN WiMAX strategy, superior IP and OFDMA know-how, and ability to deploy
end-to-end turnkey WiMAX projects, Alvarion is shaping the new wireless
broadband experience (www.alvarion.com).
