[October 05, 2004] Bluegrass Cellular Selects Kodiak Networks to Deploy Commercial Push-to-Talk System with Advanced Voice Services Functionality SAN RAMON, Calif. & ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. --(Business Wire)-- Oct. 5, 2004 -- Central Kentucky Operator Joins Growing Number of Network Operators Worldwide To Select the Kodiak Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System Kodiak Networks, the leading provider of advanced wireless voice systems, announced that Bluegrass Cellular, a locally owned and operated wireless carrier headquartered in Elizabethtown, KY, has selected Kodiak to deploy its commercial PTT system with advanced voice service functionality. Bluegrass covers 34 counties, with the largest continuous cellular coverage in the state. The carrier plans to launch its commercial service in late November, in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Kodiak Networks offers wireless operators and their customers a unique value proposition. For carriers, the all-IP, standards-based Kodiak Real-time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System is designed to interoperate with existing cellular and back-office infrastructure and can easily bridge analog and digital networks. Designed for consumers, business professionals and service workers, the Kodiak RTX enables valuable voice services that extend beyond basic PTT functionality, including instant availability, instant conferencing and real-time updates of personal and group contacts, directly from the handset. "We selected the Kodiak Networks RTX System for our commercial deployment because it offers the richest feature set, highest voice quality and lowest voice latency in the industry," said Damian Sazama, vice president, sales and marketing, Bluegrass Cellular. "With Kodiak's advanced voice service capability, Bluegrass continues its tradition of offering innovative wireless voice services to our customers. We think these services will be extremely appealing to our existing subscriber base and attract new customers as well." "We're very pleased that Bluegrass Cellular selected Kodiak to deploy its commercial PTT system," said Richard Henderson, Kodiak Networks vice president sales-Americas. "Our goal is to help Bluegrass bring these enhanced voice services to market very quickly, so that the company's customers can immediately experience the benefits of instant voice calling, including increased productivity and more effective communication with individuals and groups." Bluegrass is the fifth network operator worldwide to select Kodiak as its advanced wireless system vendor. Previously announced commercial deployments of the highly scalable Kodiak RTX include Cellcom and ALLTEL, headquartered in the United States; Orange S.A., based in Europe; and Asia-Pacific operator IT&E, located in Guam. About Kodiak Networks Kodiak Networks (www.kodiaknetworks.com) is the leading advanced wireless systems innovator for network operators worldwide. The Kodiak Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System is a technology breakthrough, enabling operators to deliver premium, integrated wireless voice services to their customers. With the industry's best performance, fastest speed and lowest latency, the Kodiak RTX enables a new category of Advanced Voices Services, including instant availability, instant voice calling, group conferencing and real-time voice messaging. The standards-based, all-IP, packet-switched Kodiak RTX System can be incorporated into any existing cellular network, enabling carriers to increase their profit and customer retention and attract new customers without costly upgrades to network infrastructure. Kodiak Networks offers both GSM and CDMA instant voice systems that can be easily scaled from independent operators to multinational carriers. In partnership with Orange, the Kodiak client is available on handsets provided by Nokia, Alcatel, LG, PalmOne and Sagem. Kodiak has relationships with several other global providers of handset technology and has numerous patents pending in the areas of high-speed packet switching, signaling and call control. Headquartered in northern California, Kodiak is a global organization, with facilities in Dallas, Texas; Bangalore, India; Swindon, United Kingdom; and Beijing, China. About Bluegrass Cellular Bluegrass Cellular (www.bluegrasscellular.com) is a locally owned and operated wireless organization providing telecommunication services throughout Central Kentucky. Bluegrass attributes its success and growth to its quality network and to its focus on the local community in the areas it serves. Headquartered in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Bluegrass has 13 company-owned/operated retail locations and over 42 authorized agents present throughout the central area of the state. Bluegrass Cellular is a customer-focused organization, devoted to providing the ultimate in equipment, systems and services to its business and consumer customers. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]