Catalonian Government Plans to Test Mobile WiMAX

Hosting 3GSM Government Plans to Build Future Mobile Broadband Services on Proven WiMAX Successes

Alvarion Ltd., the world's leading provider of WiMAX and wireless broadband solutions, today announced that the Catalonian government is using its BreezeMAX system to extend advanced broadband services throughout the state. Building on its prior WiMAX deployments, the 3GSM host successes to ensure that all citizens of Catalonia receive equal broadband services, and some of them receive it using wireless access infrastructure. This project will be carried out by the Center for Information and Communication Technologies (CTTI), which has joined the WiMAX Forum.

Previously local operator Iberbanda-awarded its first broadband contract by the Catalonia government in 2004-had used Alvarion's BreezeMAX system to bring broadband to the Catalonian lands of Tarragona and Lleida. And with that project exceeding all expectations, Iberbanda is now extending broadband services to both rural and suburban areas in the two additional Catalonian lands - Girona and Barcelona country areas.

"The Catalonian government is a highly satisfied WiMAX user and believes in promoting the WiMAX advantage," said Jordi Bosch, Secretary for Telecommunications and Information Society. "Alvarion, the WiMAX worldwide proven leader, has earned the government's trust during these two years of intensive commercial deployment throughout the region. We are adopting Alvarion's OPEN WiMAX, Best of Breed strategy, since we believe in this operator-centric approach, and now look forward to test Mobile WiMAX solutions."

"Iberbanda is completely committed to the deployment of this new access network bringing broadband services to a large number of Catalonia citizens, who were unable to receive these kind of services until now," said Luis Miguel García, CEO of Iberbanda.

BreezeMAX is Alvarion's award-winning, WiMAX Certifiedâ„¢ platform designed from the ground up according to the IEEE 802.16 standards and uses OFDM technology for advanced non-line-of-sight (NLOS) functionality. Its carrier-class design supports broadband speeds and QoS to enable carriers to offer triple play broadband services to thousands of subscribers in a single base station. Interested parties can view showcases and demonstrations of Alvarion's OPEN WiMAX strategy in Hall 2, Booth 225C at the 3GSM show being held in Barcelona, Spain on February 12-15.

"Once again we are taking a leading role in helping to bring broadband to Catalonia, a region already benefiting from WiMAX services provided by our BreezeMAX system," said Tzvika Friedman president and CEO of Alvarion. "We value the government's confidence in WiMAX and look forward to continued cooperation in Catalonia and with Iberbanda overall as we begin to promote our OPEN WiMAX solutions worldwide" - Alvarion.