AlwaysOn Network Bangladesh Deploys SOMA Broadband Wireless System to Connect Bangladesh Communities
Nationwide Network Brings Affordable, Robust Internet Access to
Primary Schools and Underserved Areas
SINAGPORE & SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--
AlwaysOn Network Bangladesh (AONB), a joint venture between
Oregon-based AlwaysOn Network and an organization of nonresident
Bangladeshi technologists, announced today the commercial launch of a
new wireless network that will deliver free Internet access to
Bangladesh primary schools and colleges, as well as competitively
priced broadband services to underserved rural and urban areas. SOMA
Networks' broadband wireless solution was found to outperform all
other wireless access methods, making it the ideal technology to
surmount the challenging deployment and environmental conditions in
many regions throughout Bangladesh. The new nationwide
telecommunications infrastructure is part of an agreement between AONB
and the Bangladeshi government, in which the company will help bridge
the digital divide and deliver high-speed wireless Internet service to
education, government, private businesses and individuals across the
country.
During rigorous live field trials in the capital city of Dhaka,
AONB customers found the wireless broadband Internet service to
deliver superior indoor, non-line-of-sight connectivity even during
the most severe weather conditions, including frequent tropical
storms. AlwaysOn Network, SOMA's first US deployment, had originally
proven SOMA's technology in 2002, when the company launched service in
the rugged, mountainous terrain of the US Pacific Northwest where
inclement weather is also a major concern for service providers.
"We were already very familiar with SOMA technology through our US
deployment so the company was the natural choice as our equipment
provider in Bangladesh," said Dr. Reaz Shaheed, CEO and Managing
Director of AlwaysOn Network Bangladesh. "Our vision is to offer the
highest quality broadband Internet services throughout Bangladesh in
order to make business opportunities more attractive to foreign
companies seeking low cost, broadband dependent operations. To do
this, the nation needs to grow its qualified workforce. By providing
free wireless Internet services to connect every school and college in
Bangladesh we can make the best educational resources available to
everyone. SOMA's ability to provide, integrate and validate a complete
broadband wireless solution quickly, along with the best service
coverage, has proven invaluable and will accelerate the realization of
our vision."
"As AlwaysOn's vendor of choice in the US and now in Bangladesh,
we are proud to continue our commitment to deliver high throughput,
high capacity and revenue-enhancing systems for our customers," said
Yatish Pathak, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SOMA Networks.
"SOMA's next generation broadband wireless systems continue to offer
the industry's best business case. We are extremely pleased that our
customers return to us for new deployments around the globe. By
fostering our relationships with influential providers like AONB, SOMA
continues to influence the rapid spread of broadband services in
emerging economies and ensure the narrowing of the digital divide."
While promoting SOMA Networks' technology to its government
customers, AONB cited the following key features of the 700 MHz
FlexMAX Broadband Wireless System: approximately five times better
penetration than any other wireless service; unrivaled
non-line-of-sight access; the easiest subscriber self-installation and
activation, eliminating expensive technician service calls and custom
installations; industry-leading sector coverage and capacity with
multi-megabit data rates; and continuing customer care via the
Internet or telephone.
The growing Dhaka deployment continues to offer superb
uninterrupted broadband Internet connections allowing both commercial
and residential customers to enjoy high-speed wireless Internet
connectivity that is easily installed without the need for technical
support. AONB is very pleased by early sales and rapid market
acceptance of their new wireless service.
AONB signed a MoU with the Government of Bangladesh to provide
inexpensive Internet service throughout the entire country as well as
free Internet access to all primary schools over the next 10 years.
One of the main objectives of this agreement is to offer broadband
services at a cost suitable to the existing local economy. These
services are designed to accelerate the expanding economy and act as a
catalyst for future development and overall growth of Bangladesh.
Based on the success of the early trial, AONB has been awarded
exclusive connectivity with select universities and hospitals in
Dhaka. Following the completion of the initial deployment, the network
will expand to other cities and rural communities starting in the
third quarter 2008.
About AlwaysOn Network Bangladesh
Always On Network Bangladesh Ltd., is a joint venture between
Oregon-based AlwaysOn Network Inc., and an organization of nonresident
Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and technologists. The company is the
leading broadband wireless provider in Bangladesh, offering Internet
services, networking and a variety of IT solutions. Backed by an
extensive customer support team, AONB delivers high-speed, carrier
class, Internet access to educational and government facilities,
businesses, and individuals throughout Bangladesh while providing
services at a cost suitable to the local economy. AONB strives to
improve the quality of mass education and ICT training in Bangladesh
by using its communications network to bring ubiquitous Internet
access to the country's rural schools and collages. AONB is
headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh. For more information, visit
www.aonbd.net.
About SOMA Networks
SOMA Networks, Inc., helps service providers and their subscribers
access the world with WiMAX. As a leading provider of Mobile WiMAX
products and professional services, SOMA's FlexMAX(TM) Mobile WiMAX
System, SoftAir(TM) Multimedia Application System, and global
professional services provide a complete platform that accelerates
service providers' time to market with revenue-generating applications
that bring broadband to the home or business. SOMA is a principal
member of the WiMAX Forum(R), and its FlexMAX Mobile WiMAX System
supports the 802.16e-2005 Mobile WiMAX standard. Deployed on five
continents, SOMA is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in
Toronto, Ottawa, Delhi, Sao Paulo and Singapore. For more information,
visit www.somanetworks.com.
United States:
SOMA Networks, Inc.
Adrienne Low, +1 415-882-6524
alow@somanetworks.com
or
Citigate Cunningham
Sandy George, +1 617-374-4210
sgeorge@citigatecunningham.com
or
Asia:
Citigate DR, i.MAGE, Singapore
Yu Poh Leng, +65 6534 5122
pohleng.yu@citigatedrimage.com
or
Citigate Dewe Rogerson, India
Sam Khumanthem, + 91 22 4007 5038
sam@cdr-india.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
