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 According to the report, "China has some of the most modern fiber infrastructure alongside some of the most outdated copper plant--resulting in a missing access layer to the end user."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.
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