Netcom Africa to Begin Commercial Operation of 3G Mobile System in Nigeria Using Axity3G Broadband

Commercial System Will Serve Lagos, with Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano Soon to Follow

LAWRENCE, PA June 23, 2005 - Axcera, a leading manufacturer and integrator of best-of-breed technology for the broadband wireless access industry, and Netcom Africa Limited, a leading IP infrastructure provider of satellite and wireless broadband solutions in Africa, today announced that Netcom's 3G mobile broadband wireless service offering, using the IPWireless UMTS TD-CDMA-based Axity3G non-line-of-site (NLOS) broadband wireless access solution, will become commercially available in July 2005.

Initial coverage of the urban centers within Lagos, Nigeria's most populated state, beginning in mid-July, will be soon followed by roll-outs in other key markets, including Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja, the nation's capital. The system will cover a total population of over 15 million, making it one of the largest broadband wireless deployments of its kind in Africa.

The service offering, branded MyNetcom, will be available to the end user both directly through Netcom and through the company's exclusive network of resellers, with a limited number of modems being made available in mid-July for those wishing to be among the first to subscribe to the service.

The timeliness of this initial deployment was made possible by the commitment and dedication of Netcom, Axcera and IPWireless to meet the aggressive deadlines set forth to bring the system on line. According to Brian J. Kim, manager of sales and marketing for Netcom, "We are very excited about our imminent release of MyNetcom 3G Mobile Broadband to the Nigerian market. Collaborating with world-class partners like Axcera and IPWireless has facilitated a seamless execution of Netcom's go-to-market strategy for this integral component of our best-in-class product suite."

Axcera's IPWireless-based "Axity3G" solution will allow Netcom to offer services never before available in Nigeria. Kim added, "MyNetcom operates according to the 3GPP UMTS UTRA TD-CDMA standard, offering non-line-of-sight service that allows mobile wireless broadband data access anywhere within the Netcom network. The plug and play MyNetcom modem will fit in your pocket and subscribers will have a choice of affordable, unlimited access monthly service plans. Simply put, MyNetcom will change the way Nigerians use the Internet."

Pursuant to its goal of bringing broadband access to the African population, upon completion of the nationwide Nigeria build-out Netcom plans to broaden its reach with expansion into various other African countries. According to David Neff, president and chief executive officer of Axcera, "The launch of this initial service offering is the first step in bringing affordable, reliable broadband wireless access to Nigeria. Axcera is excited to continue its relationship with Netcom to complete the nationwide Nigerian build-out on schedule and to continue implementing systems throughout Africa."

With Axity3G, coverage is achieved through an air interface, significantly minimizing deployment time and installation cost when compared to copper or fiber based systems, while at the same time offering true mobility. The plug-and-play capability of the pocket-sized modem allows simple user installation, minimizing or eliminating the need for costly and time consuming truck rolls. The mobile broadband solution is based on UMTS TD-CDMA, the part of the 3GPP family of standards that is optimized for high-speed data transmission.

About Axcera
Axcera (www.axcera.com) is a premier provider of equipment and systems for the television broadcast and broadband wireless/MMDS industries. Carrying on the tradition of offering the best products and services for more than 20 years, the company has earned its reputation as a high-quality manufacturer and integrator focused on meeting customers' needs. Today Axcera, a Platinum Equity company, provides the most complete line of television transmitter systems available from any manufacturer, as well as end-to-end broadband wireless/MMDS solutions, including complete network planning, design and integration services.

About Netcom
Netcom Africa Ltd. (www.netcomng.com) is a leading IP infrastructure provider of satellite and wireless broadband solutions in Africa. Netcom's product suite is best in class using the latest generation technologies in satellite communications and supported 24/7 by some of the most experienced customer support and technical engineers in the industry.

NetcomVSAT is a robust, multi-tiered business solution and is ideal for organizations of all sizes from the small business operator to the multi-business process intensive multinational corporation. MyNetcom is the first to market and affordable true non-line-of-sight mobile broadband solution for the single PC user. It is compliant with the 3GPP UMTS TD-CDMA (3G) international standard, the leading global broadband mobile standard.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Netcom is licensed by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission and is backed by shareholders and a seasoned management team who have extensive knowledge and experience in satellite communications, ERP/CRM enterprise applications, international banking, international airline and manufacturing industries.

About IPWireless
IPWireless offers advanced standards-based mobile broadband technology that drastically improves the way people connect and communicate at home, at the office, or on the road. With a full range of commercially available network solutions and devices based on the UMTS standard, IPWireless allows operators to offer Complete 3G, a spectrum of completely mobile, portable, or stationary packet-based services with unmatched economics and true broadband performance. The IPWireless Partner Program and chipsets allow device manufacturers and infrastructure vendors to very quickly bring innovative new TD-CDMA solutions to market. IPWireless is a founding member of the Global UMTS TDD Alliance. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ipwireless.com.

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