RadioFrame Expands Nextel Contract With Multi-Million Dollar Base Station Agreement

RadioFrame Expands Nextel Contract With Multi-Million Dollar Base Station Agreement

RadioFrame's Solution Will Help Nextel Scale Capital Expenditures and Operating Costs, Increase iDEN Capacity and Support Future Technologies

BELLEVUE, Wash., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- RadioFrame Networks(TM) Inc., the leader in modular radio solutions for telecom operators, announced today that Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL), a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services, has extended its current contract with RadioFrame to include the multi-million dollar purchase of additional MC-Series products and services.

Under the terms of this agreement, Nextel will deploy the MC-Series Base Station solution in its iDEN(TM)-based network, which will help reduce operating costs and increase efficiencies. "The RadioFrame Networks technology gives us new network engineering capabilities through innovative software-driven radio solutions that are modular, flexible, efficient and cost effective," said Len Cascioli, Nextel's vice president of engineering. "This investment will help us enhance coverage and capacity for our customers, while also providing a platform that supports future network technologies."

Nextel will utilize the flexible MC-Series systems for several applications including base station hoteling, which is particularly beneficial for servicing major metropolitan markets where physical space and escalating property costs are important system design factors. Base station hoteling leverages existing fiber links to distribute network capacity to multiple locations and expand this capacity quickly and with minimal investment.

The MC-Series can also extend in-building coverage in public locations such as malls, airports and stadiums as well as expand coverage during emergency deployments and temporary events.

"Nextel is a true market leader, and this commitment will help Nextel meet the network capacity needs of its customers dynamically, while reducing total cost of siting, deploying and managing a high capacity base station network," said Jeff Brown, RadioFrame president and CEO.

The agreement includes the delivery of MC Series base stations, and additional RadioFrame Networks' iDEN RadioBlade(TM) transceivers. Shipments of MC-Series are scheduled for delivery over the next two years.

About the RadioFrame MC-Series System

The RadioFrame Networks (RFN) Microcell (MC)-Series Base Station has a unique software-controlled technology platform architecture, which delivers high performance in a small form factor. The platform is based on a Layer 2, packet-based architecture with Ethernet control of low-power radios. This architecture supports future migration to any radio frequency and/or wireless protocol via upgrade options within the RFN network elements, while also enabling the ability to expand capacity to meet service quality demands and growing data requirements. Operating expenses are significantly reduced due to the system's minimal power supply and HVAC requirements. Installed on a significant scale, MC-Series could potentially translate into millions of dollars in operational savings annually.

The MC-Series compact form factor also reduces the space requirements for the system. A full system can take up as little as 40 inches of height within a standard 19-inch rack. Typical large-capacity base stations can require as many as four to seven racks of equipment. A fully functioning, high-capacity MC-Series System requires no more than one rack.

The system also features advanced Remote System Management features, which enable centrally managed remote maintenance and trouble-shooting down to sub-module level and can easily accommodate remote upgrades. The RadioFrame Networks MC-Series System increases network breadth and capacity, reduces backhaul expenses and simplifies migration and management.

About RadioFrame Networks

Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, RadioFrame Networks(TM) Inc., RadioFrame Networks is the leader in modular radio solutions for telecom operators. RadioFrame Networks deploys cost-effective radio access via flexible and efficient software-driven base stations. Unlike traditional approaches from vendors offering proprietary, single-technology equipment, RadioFrame Networks offers an agile, multiple-technology, future-proof solution that integrates into existing networks, increases capacity and reduces operating costs and capital expenditures.

For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.radioframenetworks.com.

About Nextel Communications

Nextel Communications, a FORTUNE 200 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Today 95 percent of FORTUNE 500(R) companies are Nextel customers. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 297 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 261 million people live or work.

Source: RadioFrame Networks Inc.

CONTACT: Todd Wolfenbarger of The Summit Group, +1-801-595-1155, or mobile, +1-801-244-9600, for RadioFrame Networks

Web site: http://www.radioframenetworks.com/

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