12/17/05 - Airspan (NASDAQ: AIRN), a provider of WiMAX based broadband wireless access networks and carrier class Voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) solutions, announced that it has joined the Wi-Fi Alliance. Airspan joins more than 200 companies worldwide as a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

"In becoming a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, Airspan Networks joins more than 200 companies from around the globe who are committed to delivering interoperable Wi-Fi® solutions and ensuring a positive user experience through our Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ programs," said Wi-Fi Alliance Managing Director, Frank Hanzlik. "We are pleased to have them become a part of the organization."

Airspan also announced the launch of its AS.NET product line, the company's new flexible solution that combines standards-based Wi-Fi® Hotzone technology with cost-effective and resilient backhaul. AS.NET can also be sold in a point-to-point configuration, providing broadband backbone for hotspot locations, outdoor coverage access points and DSL switches. Using AS.NET, operators will be able to create networks that allow consumers and businesses to connect to Wi-Fi® Hotzones in a seamless manner and roam with their PDAs, laptops, handheld gaming devices and smart phones, without any need to re-authenticate as they move between Hotzone nodes.

Eric Stonestrom, President and CEO of Airspan, commented: "Airspan is extremely pleased to join the Wi-Fi Alliance. The Alliance has been fundamental in driving the development of the Wi-Fi® standard and ensuring the interoperability of Wi-Fi® devices. Airspan will continue to ensure that its AS.NET portfolio meets the development goals and new standards set by the Alliance." He added that, "In the very near future, we foresee the widespread combination of WiMAX and Wi-Fi® solutions in wireless broadband access networks. Already, our WiMAX customers like Yozan in Japan are deploying our systems with the ability to provide subscribers with both WiMAX coverage to the premises and Wi-Fi® access in public hotspots. AS.NET's patented RoamNET technology will now allow us to add the dimension of mobility to these networks, providing further impetus to the rollout of broadband wireless networks."

Airspan's announcement comes soon after its recent acquisition of Radionet Oy, Ltd. of Finland. Radionet is a leading provider of 802.11-based Wi-Fi® municipal wireless Hotzones, community networks, mobile broadband solutions for industrial applications and link solutions for wireless backhaul and enterprises. Airspan's new membership in the Wi-Fi Alliance and its acquisition of Radionet reiterate Airspan's belief that a combination of WiMAX and Wi-Fi technologies will provide the most flexible combination of wireless-based broadband connectivity solutions in enterprise and carrier networks.

Airspan's AS.NET product line consists of a number of highly flexible outdoor 802.11a/b/g base station products that can be configured for point-to-point, repeater and Wi-Fi® hotzone deployments. Used in conjunction with RoamNET software, it provides network-wide, seamless Wi-Fi® handoffs between access locations within a Wi-Fi® hotzone. The AS.NET family also provides specialist enterprise and public safety wireless broadband applications, including ports, mining, and public transportation networks.

Airspan's AS.NET product family is commercially available now. It includes:

• FlexNET: Flexible dual radio a/b/g bridge/router which can be configured for hotzones, point-to-point links or both.
• ControlNET: Network and subscriber management software for a FlexNET hotzone network.
• RoamNET: Patented IP-level roaming software providing seamless roaming across a routed network.
• ViaNET: Highly ruggedized dual radio a/b/g Mobile Terminal or Access Point enabling high quality "make before break" data transmission on moving vehicles.
• CrossNET: Works together with ViaNET for applications such as mobile CCTV, to provide guaranteed high data rates to moving vehicles.