SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Powerwave Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:PWAV) announced today the completion of a wireless network coverage solution project, based on its Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System (FODAS), to enhance the coverage and capacity in the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA). As one of the many complex projects Powerwave has concluded in the last 12 months, this installation includes more than 100 fiber optic repeater sites used to improve GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS mobile telecommunications service. The installation enhances RF transmissions in an area of approximately 1 square kilometer and includes major venues within the surrounding area of the OAKA. The project, which was commissioned through and installed by Powerwave distributor, PLURAL S.A., Greece, was completed in less than three months and is designed to meet the stringent capacity, coverage, and quality of service objectives set by the customer.
"Providing ample capacity and consistent wireless coverage is critical to the wireless network carriers serving the unprecedented volume of visitors that will attend these events," said Bruce Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Powerwave Technologies Inc. "The Powerwave Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System is an all-in-one solution that helps enable multiple network carriers meet the expectations of the many spectators and visitors within this limited area. The complexity of the solution demonstrates the unique leadership and expertise the Powerwave team delivers."
The OAKA includes both indoor and outdoor wireless coverage environments. The main stadium, the basketball court, and the aquatics center required a system that addresses interior coverage along with issues such as limited space for equipment, aesthetics and obstructions, not to mention difficult installation in respect to historical landmark restrictions. The tennis courts and the Velodrome called for a system designed to meet the unique challenges presented for outdoor coverage enhancement. The FODAS solution fulfilled these requirements by overcoming additional installation challenges such as predetermined antenna locations and mast-poles heights dictated by the OAKA authorities. Ongoing system maintenance and remote monitoring is offered via Powerwave OMSSM software already in place in both of the wireless network operators' existing networks. PLURAL will provide the ongoing support of the installed system through the duration of the events. An OMS support center will be located in the PLURAL facility in Athens and on-site support will be supplied by Powerwave and PLURAL engineers.
The Powerwave FODAS system, based upon proven fiber optic and amplifier technology also effectively addressed RF attenuation issues caused by the extreme distance posed by the equipment room placement on the outside perimeter of the OAKA complex. In addition, it provided a co-located, shared network that two wireless network operators control independently. Since remote fiber optic repeater units can easily be transformed from optical to RF by removing the Fiber Optic Node (FON) board, the solution is future-ready.
PLURAL has provided mobile telephony infrastructure services to wireless network operators since 1988. As a Powerwave products distributor in the region, PLURAL offers a complete range of infrastructure products as well as indoor cellular coverage solution design and turnkey services to deploy them.
About Powerwave Technologies
Powerwave Technologies, Inc. is a global supplier of end-to-end solutions for wireless communications networks. Powerwave designs, manufactures and markets antennas, boosters, combiners, filters, repeaters, multi-carrier RF power amplifiers, tower-mounted amplifiers and advanced coverage solutions, all for use in cellular, PCS and 3G networks throughout the world. Corporate headquarters are located at 1801 E. St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Telephone (714) 466-1000. For more information on advanced wireless coverage and capacity solutions from Powerwave, please call (888)-PWR-WAVE (797-9283) or visit our web site at www.powerwave.com. Powerwave, Powerwave Technologies and the Powerwave logo are registered trademarks of Powerwave Technologies, Inc.
Investor Inquiries: Kevin Michaels (714) 466-1608 Media Inquiries: Kim Smith (817) 684-4708 European Technical Inquiries: Petri Markkanen +46 85408 2285
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