Airspan Networks Signs Distributor Agreement With Shanghai Post & Telecommunications of China; Shanghai P&T Is One of Top 100 Electronic Enterprises in China.

Business Editors

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2001

Airspan Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRN), a leading worldwide provider of broadband fixed wireless DSL networks, today announced it has signed a distributor agreement with Shanghai Post & Telecommunications Equipment Company, Ltd. of China, one of the top 100 electronics enterprises in the country.

The two-year agreement calls for Shanghai P&T to initially purchase $1 million of the Airspan AS4000 wireless DSL system in the fourth quarter 2001. Shanghai P&T will be China's "Airspan Authorized Distributor".

In accordance with the agreement Shanghai P&T will build a support center and support network for Airspan products. It will also train and maintain technical personnel to install and provide ongoing customer service to end users of the Airspan products.

"We are delighted to be working with Shanghai P&T to disseminate the Airspan wireless DSL solution throughout China," said Jian Qiu, Airspan's managing director for China. "The China broadband market is still in its infancy and we feel like we're getting off to a great start by working with such an established firm like Shanghai P&T."

According to the China Broadband Industry 2000 Report, China is expected to invest more than $2.4 billion to develop its broadband infrastructure during the next five years.

An August 2001 U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Equity Research report indicated broadband fixed wireless technologies "have the most immediate near-term opportunities in China." According to the report, "China has some of the most modern fiber infrastructure alongside some of the most outdated copper plant--resulting in a missing access layer to the end user."

"Together with Airspan, we will be the leading supplier of wireless broadband in the China market," said Bao Kangrong, president of Shanghai P&T. "Airspan's international experience and credibility together with our reputation and success in China is a winning combination."

Today's announcement was made during Airspan's participation at the PT Wireless tradeshow in Beijing, China. The tradeshow, which runs through October 27th focuses on the wireless opportunities in China. Airspan President and CEO, Eric Stonestrom, and Airspan Asia Pacific President, Henrik Smith-Petersen joined Shanghai P&T executives as well as members of China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII) for the signing ceremony.

About Airspan Networks

Airspan provides wireless DSL systems and solutions to operators around the world with licenses in frequency bands between 900 MHz to 4 GHz, including both PCS and MMDS. The company has deployments with more than 60 operators in more than 40 countries. Airspan's systems are based on radio technology that delivers excellent area coverage, high security and resistance to fading. Airspan's systems can be deployed rapidly and cost effectively, providing an attractive alternative to traditional wired communications networks. Airspan also offers radio planning, network installation, integration, training and support services to facilitate the deployment and operation of its systems. More information on Airspan can be found at http://www.airspan.com

About Shanghai Post & Telecommunications Equipment Company

Shanghai P&T specializes in the research, development and introduction of advanced telecommunications technologies and equipment into the Chinese market. Founded in 1951, the company is one of the first enterprises in China to integrate development, manufacturing and sales of telecommunications equipment. Shanghai P&T is credited with developing the first PDH 120-channel optical fiber transmission system, the first generation of Slim-Rack PCM equipment, the first electronic teleprinter and the first 3, 12 and 60-channel carrier equipment in China. In 1993, with government approval, Shanghai P&T issued shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. In 1999, the company was authorized as one of the 520 Key Enterprises of China. Shanghai P&T is a publicly-held firm listed both on the Shanghai A & B market and is one of the most important companies of China PTIC group which us under the Ministry of Information Industry.

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based on those factors identified in the company's filings with the SEC. The words "believe", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the statements that the telecom market in China is rapidly growing, that the wireless market in China will offer a great business potential for Airspan and any implication that the agreement with Shanghai P&T will position the company to capture a large share of the Chinese fixed wireless market.