BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Airspan Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband wireless access networks, announced today that Okinawa Telemessage Co. Ltd., a leading broadband access service provider in Okinawa, Japan, launched a WiMAX Network using Airspan solutions with plans to address the fast-growing demand for high-quality broadband services.

Beginning with Nanjo City, Okinawa Telemessage will provide more than 500,000 households in Okinawa Prefecture with high-speed broadband access. Operating in the 4.95 GHz frequency band, the WiMAX network deployment is well underway and, upon completion, will consist of more than two hundred Airspan base stations spread over Okinawa Island. The Airspan WiMAX system was selected by Okinawa Telemessage for its flexibility, frequency band availability and the inherent cost-savings offered by wireless-based broadband infrastructure.

The network was launched in an official inauguration ceremony on December 25th in the city hall of Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan. Attending the ceremony were the mayor of Nanjo City, many government officials and executives from both Okinawa Telemessage and Airspan Networks.

This project benefitted from Japan's government broadband policy. The government's 'u-Japan' broadband strategy provides for money or tax incentives to cities to deploy broadband with the hopes of completing full broadband coverage to the entire nation by 2010. Nanjo City provided Okinawa Telemessage with roof-top property for placement of base stations, as well as city-owned fiber optic backhauling.

"A robust and reliable infrastructure solution is needed in an island-wide deployment such as this. Airspan solutions have exceeded our expectations and will help us meet our goals in expanding broadband services to the entire Okinawa Prefecture," stated Fumikatu Miyagi, President and CEO of Okinawa Telemessage Co.

Airspan Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRN)