Pronto, Aiirnet Wire Cerritos

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Pronto Networks, a leading provider of carrier-class OSS solutions for large Wi-Fi hot spot networks, and Aiirnet Wireless, a high-speed wireless Internet service provider deploying the latest in 802.11/Wi-Fi technology, today announced a partnership to build and deploy the largest Wi-Fi hot zone to date in order to provide wireless community public access and broadband services to the entire City of Cerritos, in conjunction with other technology partners. The citywide deployment will incorporate Wi-Fi mesh technology, fixed wireless backhaul, and Pronto's Operations Support System (OSS) for back-office functions, including authentication, billing, revenue distribution, and customer support.

The City of Cerritos is a suburb of Los Angeles with 50,000 residents who do not have citywide access to DSL or cable modem for Internet access, much like many other U.S. suburbs. The broadband wireless service will be available to both residents and businesses of Cerritos, as well as the City of Cerritos' city workers and for a variety of public safety initiatives. Pricing for the service will be comparable to wireline broadband alternatives.

"The City of Cerritos deployment is the largest hot zone deployment to date," said Stan Hirschman, CEO of Aiirnet Wireless. "Cerritos has been on the leading edge of many wireless community broadband initiatives, so it is not surprising that it is the nation's first city to offer Wi-Fi access to all of its residents, businesses, and public employees. By partnering with Pronto Networks and other technology vendors, we will provide high-speed, wireless Internet access throughout the entire city."

The deployment is the first of its kind, leveraging leading edge technologies from several partners. Pronto's technology is used to provide all the back-office functionality for the citywide hot zone, including secure authentication, pre-paid and post-paid billing, customer care, roaming settlement, and remote network management. Pronto's remote provisioning and management capabilities are enabling rapid citywide deployment as well as lower network maintenance costs long-term.

An initial pilot covering 1.5 square miles of Cerritos has already been successfully deployed. The full service covering 8.6 squares miles will go live on January 1, 2004. Wi-Fi coverage will initially be outdoors, with indoor coverage added later to allow residents to receive in-house wireless broadband service.

"Pronto Networks is very excited to be working with leading Wi-Fi operators, such as Aiirnet Wireless, to provide wireless broadband services to the entire city of Cerritos," said Jasbir Singh, president and CEO of Pronto Networks. "Aiirnet Wireless has the experience and creative insight about how to provide wireless broadband service to underserved communities, and Pronto provides the back-office technology innovation that enables cost-effective, rapid wireless broadband deployment for metro-scale areas."

Pronto Networks Inc.

Aiirnet Wireless LLC