AirNet Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:ANCC), the technology leader in base station products for wireless communication, has been selected by Oklahoma-based MBO Wireless, Inc. to deploy one of the nation's first wireless General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) solutions.
AirNet's broadband, software-defined AdaptaCell(TM) base station will enable MBO to offer its customers enhanced data services such as mobile commerce applications, multimedia services, general wireless Internet messaging, and WAP services using GPRS. The order is an extension of a 1998 contract that created MBO's initial wireless communications network.
The additional purchase of AirNet's broadband, software defined AdaptaCell base stations and its AirSite(R) Backhaul Free Base Stations(TM), enable MBO Wireless to continue its rapid expansion of its coverage into surrounding areas not served by other carriers.
Because the AirNet platform is software-defined, wireless operators can easily migrate to GPRS using their existing AdaptaCell base stations and AirSite Backhaul Free Base Stations by simply upgrading software. The upgrade can be performed remotely from a network control center, dramatically reducing the cost and time of deploying the solution to every cell site.
"AirNet's software-defined solution is a huge advantage to us and puts MBO Wireless way ahead of the curve," said V. David Miller II, president, MBO Wireless, Inc. "Without question, we would not be able to provide our customers with the wireless Internet and other services if we had to go with a traditional, hardware-based solution."
Unlike traditional circuit-switched technology, GPRS sends packets of data via shared-packet data channels at speeds up to 170 Kbps -providing the highest speed and the bandwidth required to simultaneously offer multiple, enhanced communications services.
"AirNet allows operators of all sizes to cost-effectively offer mobile voice and data services, while ultimately laying the foundation for emerging super-capacity and wireless Internet applications," said Lee Hamilton, president and CEO, AirNet Communications. "MBO Wireless is a forward-looking enterprise, and we are pleased that they have again selected AirNet as their wireless infrastructure development partner."
Added MBO's Miller, "The AirNet system is faster to implement, and much more cost effective than any other solution we found. We will be the only provider in the area with 170 Kbps capability and will be able to offer faster data and other services even before our larger competitors do. Once our customers experience our new services, they won't ever want to go back."
AirNet's base station solution makes the most of GPRS technology by supporting all four GPRS coding protocols today: CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS4. Other GPRS systems only support CS1 and CS2, limiting the maximum transmission speed to 107 Kbps. The additional speed offered by AirNet allows operators to maximize system capacity and cost-effectively provide a full range of new, enhanced services.
"MBO Wireless in proving the importance of having a well-defined migration path from voice to high-speed data," said Glenn Ehley, AirNet's senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. "The AirNet solution is once again being validated in a market where no one believed high speed services could be offered cost effectively. We're pleased to be working with a customer that recognizes the need for deploying leading edge products."
This capability also ensures compatibility with all GPRS handsets and terminals, and supports the full data speed needed for the most advanced devices and applications. By utilizing the AirNet solution, operators can simultaneously provide existing Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) service with the emerging GPRS service. The AirNet solution will allow operators to cost-effectively provide wireless Internet services using their existing base stations.
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