TMCnet News
Virgin Media Business Successfully Completes UK LTE Small-Cell Trials Using Airspan's Small Cell LTE SolutionBOCA RATON, FL, Sep 28, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Airspan Networks Inc., a leading provider of 4G broadband wireless access networks, announced today that it has successfully completed small cell LTE trials with Virgin Media Business in three major UK cities. Following initial trials in London in December 2011, Virgin Media Business has completed further trials in Newcastle and Bristol. Virgin Media Business used Airspan's AirSynergy pico eNodeBs (LTE Base Station), each connected to Airspan's AirCore, an LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC) solution. The small-cell LTE architecture that was tested enables a carrier to focus coverage and capacity according to customer demand, as well as enabling indoor and outdoor 4G coverage from common infrastructure, which is challenging at frequencies above 1 GHz. This tailored approach will enable Virgin Media Business to offer mobile network operators a hosting service for the creation of very high capacity radio access networks in order to meet the explosive growth in demand for high speed mobile broadband within major metropolitan centres. Kevin Baughan, Director of Wireless, Virgin Media Business, said, "With our partners like Airspan, Virgin Media Business has been able to prove the viability of small-cells for 4G metropolitan services. We believe that 'small cells as a service' concept will appeal to mobile operators because a shared hosting environment is more cost effective than each operator building their own small cell infrastructure. We are not just catering to a fixed pool of demand, but offering an opportunity for growth and innovation." The UK trials operated on test licenses granted by the regulator Ofcom to allow the trials to proceed and prove the viability of small cell deployments. "We are pleased with the positive outcome of these LTE trials," commented Paul Trubridge, Airspan Vice President of Product Management. "AirSynergy provided Virgin Media Business with a very compact and rapidly deployable form factor that delivered great coverage in urban centers. This trial has demonstrated the beneficial role small cells play in ensuring the success of future mobile broadband deployments." AirSynergy is a groundbreaking pico cell, multi-standard 4G product. Its compact design ensures discrete deployments in various locations such as lamp posts, telephone poles and building fronts. Most unique to the product is its integrated wireless backhaul capability, called iBridge, and the ability to self-configure, self-connect, self-heal and self-optimize when deployed. Airspan products include Pico, Micro and Macro base stations, a wide variety of user devices, and advanced core network products, providing 4G LTE and WiMAX connectivity solutions operating in the 150 MHz up to 5.9 GHz bands. About Virgin Media Business Virgin Media Business has the UK's only nationwide fibre optic network, carrying 35 per cent of all business broadband traffic. Already able to reach 85 per cent of businesses in the UK, Virgin Media Business has the ability to connect to all organisations. The largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group, it prides itself on delivering innovative, high quality solutions that breakdown the barriers facing UK businesses today. Staff are located at 40 offices across the country, meaning that Virgin Media Business really is closer to its customers. Organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Nottingham Building Society, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water. To see analysis on the current issues surrounding business-to-business telecoms please visit our blog or get involved and http://twitter.com/vmbusiness About Airspan Networks Inc. Airspan (PINKSHEETS: AIRO) is a leading 4G wireless solution provider. With over 500 customers in over 100 countries and as a top vendor for carrier-class broadband wireless solutions, Airspan is recognized as a leader and pioneer in 4G and broadband wireless technologies. Providing an expansive product portfolio, Airspan offers customers the widest selection of 4G products in the industry with an unsurpassed level of technology to benefit their business case. Airspan has solutions spanning the 150 MHz to 6 GHz frequency bands. www.airspan.com. Oak Investment Partners XI, Limited Partnership holds a controlling interest in Airspan. Airspan is not subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, does not file reports, financial statements, proxy statements, information statements or other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "will," "would" and similar expressions or negative variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Investors and others are therefore cautioned that a variety of factors, including certain risks, may affect our business and cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For Media Inquiries, contact: Dori Erann Vice President of Marketing Airspan Networks Inc. Tel. +1 561.893.8687 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Airspan Networks Inc. mailto:[email protected] |