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Netpage selects Airspan Networks for First 4G Network Deployment in Gambia
Boca Raton, FL, March 22, 2012 – Airspan Networks Inc., a leading provider of 4G broadband wireless access networks, announced today that Netpage, a large Gambian ISP, has selected its 4G solutions to provide the first 4G network in Gambia, providing high-speed broadband connectivity to local residents and businesses.
The network, currently covering the Greater Banjul Area which includes Banjul, the capital of Gambia, operates in the 2.3 GHz frequency band and leverages Airspan’s flagship macro base station, Air4G. With features like MIMO and advanced antenna techniques, Air4G ensures the highest coverage and capacity, allowing Netpage to offer customers a high-level connectivity experience. Expansion plans are already in place for full nationwide coverage. Netpage is planning on adding Airspan’s groundbreaking AirSynergy Pico product to the network in Q2 of this year to help boost capacity and fill in any coverage gaps in the network.
Gambia enjoys a much higher mobile markets adoption rate than many of its African neighbors, but good high speed Internet connectivity is still lacking. Competition for data communication, whether via mobile or fixed points, has been growing since the introduction of 3G in 2009. Netpage has a strong foothold as one of the five main Internet Service Providers in the country. This new 4G deployment, the first of its kind in Gambia, is allowing Netpage to expand their business offering with wider coverage, higher-speed connections and mobility.
Netpage is providing customers with a variety of user devices depending on their location and service package selected. These devices include small indoor, desktop, self-install units as well as outdoor units mounted by professionals to maximize range, and portable devices which create Wi-Fi hotspots allowing the connectivity of several additional devices.
“Gambia has been very fortunate to avoid much of the economic turmoil experienced by the rest of the world, this stability has enabled us to leverage the economic situation and help deliver faster and more dependable Internet connectivity to our country,” stated Simon Abraham, CEO of Netpage. “We are extremely proud to be the first 4G network providers in the country and are very pleased with the performance and expertise delivered by Airspan Networks. Additionally, the flexibility of their equipment offers a seamless migration plan from WiMAX to LTE, making it very simple to add LTE users at our own pace.”
“Netpage is at the forefront of technology and service offering in Gambia,” offered Amit Ancikovsky, President of Products and Sales for Airspan. “They have solidified their telecommunications leadership position in Gambia with this first-ever 4G offering in the country. We are very pleased with this project win and look forward to our continued shared growth.”
Airspan products include Pico, Micro and Macro base stations, a wide variety of user devices, and advanced core network products, providing 4G LTE and WiMAX connectivity solutions operating in the 700 MHz up to 5.9 GHz bands.