Access Telecom and NextNet Launch Bangladesh's First 3.5 GHz NLOS Plug-and-Play Broadband Wireless Services.

DHAKA, Bangladesh & MINNEAPOLIS -- U.S. Trade Development Agency Research Grant Aids Deployment of Next Generation Broadband Technology in Bangladesh

Access Telecom, a leading Internet Service Provider in Bangladesh, and NextNet Wireless, Inc., the world's largest provider of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) plug-and-play broadband wireless access systems, today announced the commercial availability of XSTREAM NLOS, a wireless broadband service for business and residential users. Access Telecom was the first ISP in Bangladesh to introduce broadband services, commencing operation in 2000. Once again, Access Telecom is the first to deliver commercial NLOS plug-and-play broadband services operating over licensed 3.5GHz wireless spectrum. The company plans to expand XSTREAM NLOS across Dhaka over the next 12 months, later expanding to other major cities in Bangladesh, including Chittagong and Sylhet.

The XSTREAM NLOS service provides reliable, always-on, broadband services using a small self-installable wireless modem that does not require users to download software or to configure their laptop or desktop computers. The "user-friendly" wireless modem operates indoors or outdoors, from anywhere within Access Telecom's wide area network (WAN), creating a new freedom for subscribers to connect to the Internet from multiple locations. It can be used at the office, at home, at school, in a cafe, in a hotel, at the airport -- anywhere within Access Telecom's coverage area. The XSTREAM NLOS service provides reliable competitively priced broadband solutions to meet the demands and requirements of today's businesses and residential communities.

"This is the first affordable-for-all and truly superior quality broadband solution for Bangladesh," said Zain Omar, Chief Executive Officer for Access Telecom (BD) Ltd. "But the real breakthrough today is that this world-class, user-friendly broadband technology makes it possible to connect customers within minutes of the customer requesting connectivity from anywhere within the coverage area, thus providing instant broadband service when you need it, where you need it, at an affordable cost," Omar added.

Access Telecom's licensed frequency of 3.5 GHz guarantees that XSTREAM NLOS customers will not face any interference to their broadband experience. XSTREAM NLOS is based on an advanced wireless technology developed by Minneapolis, USA-based NextNet Wireless, Inc. This same technology is deployed today by NextNet's carrier partners over licensed frequencies in cities throughout Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Mexico. XSTREAM NLOS is an IP-based network that supports delivery of all IP compatible broadband applications.

"We are honored to partner with Access Telecom," stated Bill Hagestad, NextNet Director of Asian Regional Sales. "The XSTREAM NLOS service creates new possibilities for fast and reliable broadband connectivity in Bangladesh, allowing for a more networked economy and society."

U.S. Trade Development Agency Funds Broadband Research in Bangladesh

Access Telecom began research and development for XSTREAM NLOS in 2002, under a grant awarded by the U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA), a foreign assistance agency of the U.S. Government. Under the grant, Access Telecom in association with Enertech and Pulse Inc., USA engaged in a feasibility study for the deployment of a cost effective and reliable broadband network for the provisioning of affordable broadband services in Bangladesh.

The analysis included evaluation of DSL, Cable and Wireless technologies, however, environmental and practical conditions in Bangladesh proved wireless technology to be the most suitable to meet the requirements of Bangladesh. Subsequently, an extensive evaluation was performed on available wireless broadband technologies throughout the world to determine and select the most suitable technology to be used in developing the wireless network in Bangladesh.

"We needed an appropriate solution that was cost effective in terms of end-user pricing as well as infrastructure development," said Salvatore Costantino, President, Pulse Inc.

The study determined that NextNet Wireless non-line-of-sight broadband technology was the most suitable wireless application for the requirements in Bangladesh. Soon after, a strategic partnership was formed between Access Telecom and NextNet Wireless for deploying a non-line-of-sight wireless broadband network in Bangladesh.

"By increasing the availability of telecommunications services in Bangladesh, this project will make an important contribution to the country's overall development. We are pleased that our grant enabled Access Telecom, Enertech, and Pulse to identify a feasible approach to the project," said Geoff Jackson, USTDA Regional Director for Asia and Assistant to the Director for Policy Planning.

About Access Telecom (BD) Ltd.

Access Telecom is an Internet Infrastructure and Solutions Provider, delivering end-to-end value-added solutions to Businesses and Consumers. The Company offers solutions in four broad categories: Dialup & Broadband Internet, PCs & Hardware, Web Development, and Corporate Solutions. Access Telecom began operations in Dhaka in 2000, quickly becoming one of the preferred providers of dial-up and broadband Internet and web solutions. Today, the company supports more than 4,000 clients. Access Telecom plans to expand XSTREAM NLOS across Dhaka over the next 12 months, later expanding to other major cities in Bangladesh, including Chittagong and Sylhet. Access Telecom will utilize its 3.5 GHz network to provide broadband solutions to businesses, consumers and Internet Service Providers. For more information visit www.accesstel.net. Contact: Zaki Omar, Director, Access Telecom; [e-mail]; Tel: Direct: [phone]; Mobile: [phone].

About NextNet(R) Wireless, Inc.

NextNet is the industry's most widely deployed provider of NLOS plug-and-play broadband wireless access systems. The company was founded in 1998 and acquired by wireless pioneer Craig McCaw in early 2004. NextNet's Expedience system is deployed today in cities throughout Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Mexico, where NextNet is the exclusive NLOS plug-and-play system supplier for MVS Comunicaciones, Mexico's largest MMDS carrier, with licensed spectrum covering 67 million potential subscribers. In the USA, NextNet's Expedience solution is deployed by Clearwire and other regional ISPs in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina and Ohio. NextNet is also the exclusive NLOS plug-and-play system supplier for the Canadian joint venture of Inukshuk, Allstream, and NR Communications, which holds licensed spectrum covering 30 million Canadians. NextNet is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum(TM). For more information, visit www.nextnetwireless.com. Contact: Barbara Heine, Director, Marketing Communications; [e-mail]; Tel: [phone].