Alvarion(R) and Open Range Sign a Multi-Year Contract for Equipment and Services
Expected at Over $100 Million for 4G Network Across 17 States
MEDIA RELEASE PR35104
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 17 /PRNewswire-Asia-AsiaNet/ --
Partnership to bring advanced broadband wireless services to 546 communities,
representing largest RUS-funded WiMAX(TM) project to date
Alvarion Ltd. (Nasdaq: ALVR), the world's leading provider of WiMAX(TM) 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 Easier(SM) 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(R)
Certified(TM) 802.16e BreezeMAX(R) 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
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
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of
Alvarion's management and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause
actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements: orders and revenues derived from the Open Range agreement can be
substantially lower than expected due to a number of contingencies including lack
of funding from the RUS and lack of orders from Open Range, potential impact on
our business of the spread of the U.S. credit crisis and current global
recession; the failure of the market for WIMAX products to develop as
anticipated; Alvarion's inability to capture market share in the expected growth
of the WiMAX market as anticipated, due to, among other things, competitive
reasons or failure to execute in our sales, services provisioning, marketing or
manufacturing objectives; inability to further identify, develop and achieve
success for new products, services and technologies; increased competition and
its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; as well
as the inability to establish and maintain relationships with commerce,
advertising, marketing, and technology providers, and other risks detailed from
time to time in the Company's 20-F Annual Report Risk Factors section as well as
in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Information set forth in this press release pertaining to third parties has
not been independently verified by Alvarion and is based solely on publicly
available information or on information provided to Alvarion by such third
parties for inclusion in this press release. The web sites appearing in this
press release are not and will not be included or incorporated by reference in
any filing made by Alvarion with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which
this press release will be a part of.
You may request Alvarion's future press releases or a complete Investor Kit
by contacting Kika Stayerman, kika.stayerman@alvarion.com or +972.3.767.4159.
"WiMAX Forum" is a registered trademark of the WiMAX Forum. "WiMAX," the
WiMAX Forum logo, "WiMAX Forum Certified" and the WiMAX Forum Certified logo are
trademarks of the WiMAX Forum.
"Alvarion" and "BreezeMAX" are the registered trademarks of Alvarion Ltd. in
certain jurisdictions.
Simply Easier is an Open Range Communications Inc. mark.
All other companies' names, products, services may be the properties of their
respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Contacts:
Efrat Makov, CFO
Tel: +972-3-645-6252
+1-650-314-2652
Email: efrat.makov@alvarion.com
Claudia Gatlin
Tel: +1-212-830-9080
Email: claudia.gatlin@alvarion.com
Press Contacts:
In the U.S.: Christine Buzzetta
Tel: +1-972-341-2530
Email: cbuzzetta@golinharris.com
In the U.K.: Bridget Fishleigh
Tel: +44-7946-342-903
Email: bridget@nomadcomms.com
SOURCE: Alvarion Ltd.
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