MTN Nigeria Selects Harris Corporation to Further Expand Y'hello Bahn Cellular Backhaul Network

MTN Nigeria Selects Harris Corporation to Further Expand Y'hello Bahn Cellular Backhaul Network

- MegaStar(R) Microwave Radios to Boost Network Capacity by 75 Percent -

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), a leading global supplier of wireless equipment and services, today announced that it has been selected by MTN Nigeria to provide microwave radios that will increase the capacity of the existing network -- Y'hello Bahn -- by 75 percent. Orders of $4.1 million have been received for MegaStar(R) 155 PX microwave radios that will augment what is already the largest wireless network backbone in Nigeria. Harris was tapped by MTN in 2004 to supply, design and implement the original Y'hello Bahn high-capacity GSM backbone, which today spans more than 4,500 kilometers and traverses more than 120 towns and villages.

"This is a further endorsement of Harris' technology and the company's ability to be responsive to its customers' business needs," said Sfiso Dabengwa, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria. "With the ongoing expansion of our business, Harris products and services provide us with the ability to increase network capacity to meet the needs of our customers."

Under the new expansion, Harris Microwave Communications Division will supply its MegaStar 155 PX radios to augment the Harris MegaStar radios already in use for the Y'hello Bahn backbone. A key requirement of the new agreement is to counteract the difficult propagation conditions in various regions of Nigeria, such as wide variability related to temperature, humidity, geography and vegetation.

"MTN is growing quickly to serve massive public demand for GSM services," said Guy Campbell, president, Harris Microwave Communications Division. "With Harris microwave technology at the core of its backhaul network, MTN can scale capacity both rapidly and cost-effectively, allowing it to meet current and future subscriber needs."

MegaStar(R) 155 PX is a high-capacity synchronous digital microwave radio for OC-3 or STM-1 transport. It operates in the 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 GHz bands, interoperating with standard SONET/SDH multiplexers and ATM switches. MegaStar 155 PX features a wide selection of antenna coupling unit (ACU) arrangements that accommodate both standard and non-standard channelization plans. The radio offers built-in performance recording with associated charting and analysis software, Co-Channel Dual-Polarized (CCDP) operation and anticipatory errorless switching in either of two compact, easily expandable configurations -- 1+1 hot standby or 0:N/1:N multi-line.

About MTN

MTN Nigeria is Nigeria's largest GSM operator. The MTN Group, Africa's leading mobile telephony company, is the majority shareholder and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. MTN Group Limited has earned success in countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda and Cameroon, providing leading-edge technology affordably and without compromising quality.

About Harris

Harris Microwave Communications Division, one of four divisions within Harris Corporation, is the largest supplier of microwave systems in North America and a leading supplier worldwide. Its NetBoss business unit provides turnkey network management systems. Harris Corporation is an international communications and information technology company focused on providing assured communications(TM) products, systems and services for government and commercial customers. The company's operating divisions serve markets for government communications, tactical radio, broadcast, microwave, and network support systems. Harris provides systems and service to customers in more than 150 countries. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com/ .

Source: Harris Corporation

CONTACT: Tonya Loggains, Harris Microwave, +1-919-767-3278, or tonya.loggains@harris.com; or Wale Goodluck, MTN Group in Nigeria, +011-234-803-902-1061, or waleG@mtnnigeria.net; or Tom Cheesewright, Noiseworks in England, +011-44-1628-628080, or tomc@noiseworks.com, for Harris Microwave

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

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