Internet Partners Deploys Aperto Networks’ Packetwave® Systems for Nationwide Broadband Service Delivery in Poland
Milpitas, Calif. and Warsaw, Poland, (November 4, 2002) – Aperto Networks, a leading provider of new generation broadband wireless access systems, announced that it has now shipped over $1 million of 5 GHz PacketWave systems as part of a multi-million dollar project to Internet Partners, the leading provider of data and telecommunications services to businesses across Poland. The Central European alternative carrier started to deploy the PacketWave system in January 2002 to significantly expand high-speed data service delivery and meet the demands of thousands of business subscribers throughout Poland’s largest metropolitan markets. Internet Partners’ commercial broadband wireless service was launched last May and is currently available in several cities including Warsaw, Gdansk, Szczecin, Lodz, Poznan, Katowice and Wroclaw.
"We chose Aperto’s platform for the confidence it provides us in delivering reliable, high-speed business grade services," described Andrzej Gradzi, president of Internet Partners. "Our deployment in each metro market over the past nine months demonstrated the system has met and exceeded our stringent performance criteria. With its long reach capability and carrier-class QoS, PacketWave is indeed the optimal broadband access platform for large-scale deployments throughout Poland. We have standardized on the PacketWave system for our service offerings, and are now confident that we will be able to meet our aggressive business objectives and compete effectively in our marketplace."
"Internet Partners has built a great track record with the PacketWave system, migrating from extensive field trials throughout 2001 to a high-volume, nationwide network deployment phase this year," said Reza Ahy, CEO and chairman of Aperto Networks. "Internet Partners’ rapid network growth has enabled Aperto to fully demonstrate the carrier-class capabilities of the PacketWave system with the network stability, IP rich feature set, high spectral efficiency, and scalability expected by major carriers deploying large scale solutions in varied urban environments."
"Fixed broadband wireless access is clearly becoming an essential solution for subscribers in countries like Poland, where wireline facilities are often unavailable as cost-effective, reliable sources of business-grade bandwidth," said Paul Kellett, senior director - research at Pioneer Consulting. "Internet Partners’ selection of Aperto and the wave of regulatory approvals of Aperto’s 2.5, 3.5 and 5 GHz PacketWave systems around the world are solid evidence of Aperto’s ability to address the critical needs of carriers globally."
For Internet Partners’ map of deployments, go to http://www.ipartners.pl/e_m_kontakt.html.
About Aperto Networks
Aperto Networks is a leading provider of multiservice broadband wireless access systems for global markets. The company was founded to provide a breakthrough solution to one of today’s critical network bottlenecks - last-mile broadband access. Aperto’s practical, scalable systems and patent-pending technologies support new wireless builds and complement existing wireline broadband access technology. Shipping to carriers since 4Q 2001, the company has delivered commercial systems to over 30 providers in 20+ countries, meeting their need for rapid network deployment, multiservice scalability, ease of installation, IP-rich network functionality, and cost-effectiveness. Aperto dramatically shortens the lengthy provisioning cycles for broadband services by enabling rapid service provisioning across dense urban to suburban locations. Investors in Aperto include Alliance Ventures, Tyco Ventures, Innovacom (France Telecom), Stratex Networks, Oki Electric Industry Company, Mitsubishi International Corporation, Ridgewood Capital, Satwik Ventures and Redwood Ventures. For more information on Aperto Networks, go to www.apertonet.com.
About Internet Partners
Internet Partners is the largest commercial Internet provider in Poland, and is owned by GTS Central Europe (GTS CE) - the largest alternative telecom operator in Central Europe. GTS CE owns and operates five alternative carriers in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, providing telecommunications services to large corporations, medium and small businesses as well as residential clients in these markets. It has approximately 31,000 customers. The companies focus on the provisioning of bundled services (voice, data and IP) and building broadband local services on a demand-driven basis. On a consolidated level, the companies of GTS CE reported revenues of €133 million in 2001. Group MENATEP, an international diversified holding company that controls assets in excess of US $20 billion, has recently acquired GTS Central Europe. For more information, go to www.ipartners.pl/e_index.html.
