Airspan and CGC Successfully Deploy WiMAX and Wi-Fi With Qatar Telecom at the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006

Airspan Networks Inc (NASDAQ: AIRN) today announced it successfully deployed its world-leading combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. The network was built and operated by Airspan and its partner, Consolidated Gulf Co. W.L.L. ("CGC"), for Qatar Telecom ("QTel").

Qatar Telecom (QTEL), which is an existing Airspan AS4020 customer, selected Airspan's WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution from a joint proposal submitted in a competitive tender process by Airspan and CGC. Airspan supplied its MacroMAX and MicroMAX -- System-on-a-Chip ("SOC") base stations, which connected to 300 ProST / Wi-Fi customer access points to create HotZones across the sites where the Games took place. The MicroMAX-SOC, Airspan's latest WiMAX base station, is the first low-cost WiMAX solution to be sold to the carrier, enterprise, and defense markets.

The network was used to provide international news media with high-speed Internet access for data, VoIP and multimedia (picture/video clips) transmissions. Users obtained Internet access primarily through the Wi-Fi HotZones, which were backhauled by WiMAX to the Internet. Direct WiMAX access was also available for high-bandwidth applications. The network provided viewers with real-time, live news updates, and instant event coverage through the uploading to media websites of pictures and recorded video clips for special events.

Commenting on this highly successful, high-profile deployment, Eric Stonestrom, CEO of Airspan Networks, said that, "Airspan was delighted to have been chosen by QTel for the very important task of providing broadband wireless connectivity to the world's leading media during the fifteen days of games in Doha. With CGC as our partner, we worked tirelessly to ensure that the solution set the standard by which internet connectivity and communications at other events will be measured."

Mr. Anil Mahajan, Head of Business Development of CGC, said: "Airspan's world-class WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution was the ideal platform to provide a broadband wireless solution on the mass scale required for the Games. CGC successfully integrated WiMAX into QTel's core IP network, and the solution enabled thousands of stories, pictures and videos to be sent out by world's media, communicating in real time the dramatic events and spectacle that the games created."

"We are pleased to have been part of QTEL's WiMAX broadband wireless access network during the 15th Asian Games 2006. We provided a total turnkey solution and ensured high speed NLOS broad band wireless access and high capacity backhaul to numerous WiFi Access Points. Our fully integrated WiMAX Forum Certified ProST WiMAX/WiFi integrated outdoor CPE solution was deployed at all games venues spread throughout Doha. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight that we are impressed by QTel's progressive initiative and vision of providing ubiquitous broadband wireless access services in Qatar. While others are planning or trialing WiMAX in the region, QTEL did it. And being the leading telecom operator is undoubtedly the first telecom operator in the region to successfully deploy WiMAX on such a large scale. This is indeed an excellent landmark achievement by QTEL and we are proud to be part of it," said Rizwan Butt, Director Sales for Middle East and North Africa of Airspan Networks Inc., Dubai, UAE.

After the conclusion of the Games, the Airspan network was re-deployed in the city of Doha and at other locations in Qatar, and will provide a lasting legacy of high performance broadband wireless for the citizens of Qatar.

WiMAX(TM), WiMAX Forum(TM) and WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) are trademarks of the WiMAX Forum.

About Airspan Networks Inc.

Airspan Networks provides fixed and wireless voice and data systems and solutions, including Voice Over IP (VoIP). Its wireless products serve operators around the world in both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands between 700 MHz and 6 GHz, including both PCS and 3.5GHz international bands. Airspan has a strong wireless product roadmap that includes products meeting 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards, and WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) equipment that includes software upgradeability to the Mobile WiMAX(TM) 802.16e-2005 standard. Airspan is on the Board and is a founder member of the WiMAX Forum and a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance. The Company has deployments in more than 100 countries with more than 400 operators, 100 of which use Airspan's WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) and non-certified products. Airspan's wireless systems are based on radio technology that delivers excellent area coverage, high security and resistance to fading. These systems can be deployed rapidly and cost effectively, providing an attractive alternative to traditional wired communications networks. Airspan's AS.TONE VoIP system is a carrier class, turnkey solution that provides carriers with Class 4, Class 5 and IP-Centrex solutions and has a Softswitch and Gateways supporting SIP/H323 and SIP. AS.Tone's design provides customers, carriers, next-generation telcos, cellular providers and ITSP with a wide range of solutions with the best price/performance system for IP telephony. Airspan also offers radio planning, network installation, integration, training and support services to facilitate the deployment and operation of its systems. Airspan is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with its main operations center in Uxbridge, United Kingdom.