Microlink Zambia Selects Airspan 4G for Nationwide Network

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA--(Marketwire - Nov 14, 2012) - AfricaCom 2012 -- Airspan Networks Inc., a leading provider of broadband wireless access networks, announced today that Microlink Zambia has rolled out an Airspan 4G wireless solution in Lusaka and other key cities in Zambia.

The 4G network is utilizing a combination of Macro and Pico base stations. The layering of smaller base stations into larger macro cells achieves more comprehensive cell coverage as well as boosts capacity. These types of networks are called Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets). Airspan is supplying their Air4G macro base station, an extremely compact yet powerful unit, which is being paired with AirSynergy, an innovative, very low-power, compact and flexible small cell base station. Working with the base stations are a variety of user devices, including outdoor mounted units, indoor desktop units, as well as USB dongles for mobility.

The first phase deployment covers several regions of the country including many challenging environments such as in the Copperbelt mining region in Zambia which is prone to severe electrical storms and heavy downpours.

"Airspan has been a great partner on this project. Their solutions have enabled us to deploy a cost-effective 4G network that enables us to provide our customers with fast and reliable connectivity that best fits their needs and budgets," commented John Taylor, CEO of Microlink. "With Airspan's 4G platforms, we are able to offer unique, cost-effective, data services running on a 4G WiMAX network today, expand quickly into new areas as our customer base grows and migrate to an LTE platform in the future."

The network, operating in the 2.5 GHz band, is providing multi-megabit speeds and a variety of service packages to residents and businesses throughout the coverage area. Microlink currently offers services in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, Chingola, Solwezi, Chililabobmwe, Mufulira, Kapiri, Kafue, Mazabuka, Choma and Livingstone districts.

"Africa still only has a 13.5% Internet penetration rate for the entire continent. Zambia trends even lower with only 6.4% of the population using the Internet. This void has spurred Microlink to deploy a country-wide network to reach underserved regions and empower customers with high-speed Internet and much-needed applications such as e-commerce capabilities," commented Amit Ancikovsky, President of Products and Sales for Airspan Networks. "Airspan is seeing an acceleration of 4G network deployments throughout Africa and is looking forward to working with additional African ISPs in modernizing the telecommunications infrastructure and facilitating regional economic growth."

Airspan equipment operates between the 150 MHz and 6 GHz band. Airspan offers a wide variety of equipment to meet nearly any deployment scenario with pico, micro and macro base stations.

About Microlink
As one of the pioneers of wireless Internet in Zambia, Microlink firmly believes the future world of the Internet will increasingly be a 'wireless' world. Microlink is able to offer internet solutions which fit the requirements of the client. With our licenced frequency bands, we are not affected by interference from the proliferation of unlicensed wireless devices. The various classes and grades of service vary widely, but ultimately provide quality and speed.

About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan (PINKSHEETS: AIRO) is a leading 4G wireless solution provider. With over 1000 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.