The grant will bring together resources from Israel's research and development community with Nextlink's ability to successfully commercialize and market carrier-grade wireless solutions in the U.S.

The BIRD Foundation was established by the U.S. and Israeli governments in 1977 to generate mutually beneficial cooperation between the private sectors of the U.S. and Israeli high tech industries. BIRD provides matchmaking services between U.S. and Israeli companies and funding up to $1 million for a joint R&D project that will lead to commercialization costs. Each year, BIRD supports approximately 25 projects with approximately $20 million of funding.

"At Nextlink, we're constantly striving to provide our customers with the latest innovations in wireless and we're happy to take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with a pioneer in the high tech field to develop a next generation solution," said Bob Beran, President and CEO of Nextlink. "The BIRD grant will give Nextlink the opportunity to work with another technology company halfway around the world, taking full advantage of each firm's R&D, manufacturing, testing and marketing capabilities."

The joint initiative will address the gap between current WiMax technology, and the need for carrier-class, standards-based, high-performance devices to deliver commercial communications services over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands. The goal will be to develop a new class of wireless broadband access products that builds on the advances enabled by the advent of first generation WiMAX technology.

In Virginia, the BIRD Foundation facilitates U. S. and Israeli company partnerships through The Virginia Israeli Advisory Board (VIAB), an organization that serves as a facilitator for Israeli companies who want to expand their US market penetration through support provided by Virginia. Nextlink is the only Virginia company to be awarded a BIRD grant this cycle. According to Ralph Robbins, the Executive Director of the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, an Office of the Governor, "Our office works closely with BIRD to team Israeli and Virginia companies who want to develop and market next generation technologies."

"In today's globally competitive marketplace, we celebrate Nextlink's recognition as one of Virginia's most innovative technology firms with whom an Israeli company can partner," said Aneesh Chopra, Virginia's Secretary of Technology. "With the support of this prestigious BIRD grant, we bring two great technology centers together -- Israel and Virginia -- to deliver new products and services to drive the 21st century economy."

In April, Carl Grivner, CEO of XO Holdings, the parent company of Nextlink and XO Communications, traveled to Israel to participate in a VIAB program designed to help nascent Israeli telecommunications companies learn how to partner with established U.S. businesses in the telecom industry. While there, Grivner delivered a presentation on trends in the U.S. telecom landscape and best practices for creating beneficial relationships with seasoned U.S. service providers. Also accompanying Grivner was Randy Nicklas, the Chief Technology Officer for XO Communications. Nicklas spent ten days interviewing the high technology R&D companies interested in the partnering program. The presentation and screening were part of VIAB's "Gateway Via Virginia" program, which is run in conjunction with the Mason Enterprise Center.

"Our industry is based on innovation, and Israel is at the forefront for new and leading edge telecom developments," said Grivner. "XO's work with Israeli companies through VIAB and Nextlink's exciting BIRD grant illustrate our companies' dedication to creating mutually beneficial relationships with industry leaders in Israel who can take advantage of our experience and strong market knowledge here in Virginia."  

Keywords: wireless access solutions, beneficial cooperationi governments, matchmaking servicesi high tech, private sectorsi companies, carrier class, xoho, wireless solutions, broadband wireless, otcbb, xo, research and development, high tech industries, WiMAX