Aperto Networks Continues Leadership in WiMAX Forum, Releases Roadmap for Certification of PacketWave Systems.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

WCA 2004

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2004

Aperto Networks, a leading 802.16 class broadband wireless access (BWA) systems provider, today revealed its roadmap for WiMAX Forum certification(TM), multi-vendor interoperability and shipment of fully IEEE 802.16 WiMAX-compliant systems. This roadmap will be implemented for all frequencies in which Aperto's carrier-class systems operate, i.e., in the 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

"Our overarching goal is to be a leader in achieving WiMAX certification, with a seamless path for both overlay and migration of our current customers' operations," stated Aperto Chairman and CEO Reza Ahy.

"To accomplish this, Aperto's overlay strategy for our WiMAX Forum-certified(TM) systems ensures that they fully interoperate with carriers' current deployment of PacketWave(R) systems. We will enable both systems to seamlessly coexist in the same cell and sector, while continuing to deliver the features our customers have come to depend on, such as Quality of Service for guaranteed Service Level Agreements and dynamic per-subscriber link optimization for robust link performance and interference resilience. Providers can deploy both versions side-by-side to increase capacity and scale their operations, while maintaining common network management and provisioning tools."

He continued, "We have been working with silicon suppliers and are already integrating their compliant components in our systems today. Demonstrable WiMAX systems will be available for interop testing by December 2004. We will be part of the WiMAX Forum's Plugfest in January 2005, and expect to begin commercial delivery by mid-2005."

"The WiMAX Forum has created great interest in standardized, interoperable BWA systems," emphasized Emmy Johnson, principal analyst with Sky Light Research and leading BWA expert. "Aperto Networks has taken an important next step, in declaring specific plans for product delivery while preserving its proprietary technology and migrating its existing customer installations."

Aperto will build its first generation of WiMAX Forum-certified systems with 802.16-compliant chips, leveraging more than five years of Aperto success in the delivery of dynamic TDMA MAC, QoS, RF technologies, networking software and systems in its first wave of certified 3.5 GHz frequency band systems, and moving quickly across the 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

At the 2004 Wireless Communications Association Conference in Washington DC next week, Aperto will unveil several new additions to its systems portfolio, all available now, including a new single-sector base station.

About Aperto Networks

Aperto Networks is a leader in 802.16 class multiservice broadband wireless access systems for global markets. The company was founded to provide breakthrough solutions to the bottleneck in last-mile broadband access, and is a founding board member of the WiMAX Forum as well as a founder and lead contributor to IEEE 802.16 and the ETSI-BRAN standards. Its PacketWave(R) system is a family of base stations, subscriber units, radios and antennas in 2.5, 3.5 and 5 GHz frequencies for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint deployment. PacketWave's scalability and patented technologies support new wireless builds and complement wireline broadband access networks. Aperto is already deployed in 45 countries, meeting service provider needs for installation ease, IP-rich network functionality, cost effectiveness, rapid provisioning and interference resilience. For more information on Aperto Networks, go to www.apertonet.com.