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| Wireless Internet - Press Releases |
Navini Networks Press Release 3-14-2003
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WEST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC. LTD AND ALLPLUS COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO DEPLOY NEXT-GENERATION WIRELESS BROADBAND NETWORK IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
First Commercial Deployment of Navini Networks’
Ripwave™ Wireless Broadband in the Caribbean
RICHARDSON, TEXAS and PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD and TOBAGO – March 14, 2003
In an initial contract deal valued at $6 million US dollars, Navini Networks,
Inc., West Indian Telecommunications Inc. (WINTEL) and Allplus Computer Systems
today announced the deployment of the first non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless
broadband network to serve customers in Trinidad and Tobago. The deployment will
be the first ubiquitous broadband service in the area and will feature NLOS
multi-megabit performance over the entire country, starting with the capital of
Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain.
After evaluating numerous solutions, WINTEL selected Navini's Ripwave™
system for this deployment, offering customers multi-megabit
network speeds, a zero-install™ plug-and-play modem, and untethered
broadband access anywhere within the coverage area. The WINTEL offering will
include broadband data and voice services in an always-on system providing
uninterrupted broadband access, which will be extremely customer-friendly in its
deployment due to its NLOS, zero-install proposition.
WINTEL will initially offer the wireless broadband services to business
customers under the brand name "Nomad Ripwave." Within a year, WINTEL plans to
further expand its broadband data and voice services into the residential
markets throughout all of Trinidad and Tobago.
"We are still in the early stages of growth for broadband data services here
in Trinidad and Tobago, and there is great potential for mobile high-speed
broadband service for the corporate and entrepreneurial market with the Nomad
Ripwave system. At present, there are limited options available and limiting
factors for service providers to be able to reach the customer premises with a
quality service, especially for those wanting broadband access from various
locations. It is our intent to provide solutions for these problems with a
cost-effective network capable of service-level differentiation. This will allow
us to come to the market with packages that make good business sense both to us
and our customers," said Cedric Branche, chairman of WINTEL.
"Field trials and an initial market thrust with the Nomad Ripwave
demonstrated exceptional performance and a degree of excitement in our target
niches confirming our early assessments that Navini offers the most complete and
effective solution with real performance and capability - ideal for the quality
and productivity-conscious corporate and business leaders in Trinidad &
Tobago who are keen to effectively compete in the global marketplace. The stuff
really works," stated Peter Fung Kee Fung, head of customer strategic
development for WINTEL.
Allplus Computer Systems is both the reselling and deployment partner for
WINTEL, assisting the service provider with their equipment, installation and
operational needs.
"For several years now, we have been looking for a wireless last mile
solution that delivers on its promises, and we have found that solution with the
Navini Networks technology. Allplus Computer Systems is finally able to take a
complete last mile wireless broadband solution to the entire Caribbean and Latin
American regions. In teaming with WINTEL to deploy the Navini Networks solution
in Trinidad and Tobago, we are confident it is just the first among many Navini
deployments throughout the region," said Wilson Cruz, executive director of
sales and marketing for Allplus Computer Systems.
"Allplus and WINTEL share our vision of delivering cost-effective, convenient
and powerful wireless broadband to businesses and consumers," said Alastair
Westgarth, president and CEO, Navini Networks. "This contract, along with
several other recent endorsements of Navini's technology, is further validation
of Navini's commitment to making wireless broadband accessible to everyone,
everywhere, including the Caribbean islands."
About WINTEL
WINTEL was incorporated in October 1999 It has been
providing e-business solutions to North American companies and has also been
servicing requirements in the region and on other continents. WINTEL has
evaluated technologies and suppliers that best meet the needs of an advancing
Trinidad & Tobago, which wants and needs to realize the full potential of
the digital revolution. The chosen technologies are an optimum blend of advanced
technology, robustness, reliability and cost effectiveness. The suppliers are
among the World's leading corporations in Telecommunications and Information
Technology. WINTEL's leadership and head technicians bring to bear many decades
of working with corporations such as TEXTEL, TSTT, AT&T and MCI in Trinidad
& Tobago and abroad. For more information on WINTEL, please visit www.witonline.net
About Allplus Computer Systems
Headquartered in Miami, Florida
Allplus Computer Systems Corp. is an innovative distributor of computer and
telecommunication products for Latin America and the Caribbean. Through its
Telecom Division, Allplus provides cost effective, reliable, high quality
next-generation communications solutions for carriers, service providers,
enterprises, SOHO and residential markets. Allplus Computer Systems Corp is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Alcateia Corporation, headquartered in Sao Paulo,
Brazil. For more information on Allplus, please visit www.allpluscomputer.com.
About Navini Networks
Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, the
heart of the Telecom Corridor, Navini Networks offers patented wireless
broadband technology that addresses the world's need and desire for high-speed
Internet access. Navini was founded by successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur
Wu-Fu Chen and industry expert Dr. Guanghan Xu, and provides nomadic,
zero-install, non-line-of-sight infrastructure to allow for anytime, anywhere
Web access. Navini Networks' Ripwave™ products consist of a customer modem, base
station, and element management system (EMS) and run in the 2.3 GHz WCS, 2.4 GHz
ISM, 2.5/2.6 GHz MMDS and 3.5 GHz WLL spectrums. Navini's solution results in a
price/performance combination that is superior to other broadband offerings in
the marketplace. To date, Navini has received $66.5 million in funding from
top-tier investors such as Austin Ventures, Granite Ventures, Sequoia Capital,
Sternhill Partners, as well as Alcatel, Intel and Sanmina.
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