Scarlet Awards First Caribbean Mobile WiMAX Network to Navini


RICHARDSON, Texas, March 22 // -- Scarlet B.V., the Curacao international network operator, has announced the upcoming conversion of Scarlet's current Navini-based wireless broadband network to the Mobile WiMAX 802.16e standard and the introduction of new services on the network. The network is scheduled for upgrade in Q3 2007 improving network performance and increasing capacity.

Scarlet has offered wireless broadband services in Curacao since 2001, and in June 2005 launched its Scarlet One(R) branded personal broadband service using the Navini Ripwave(R) MX technology. In the past 6 months, Scarlet has aggressively expanded its broadband network to keep up with accelerating customer demand for reliable broadband service that is portable, easy to install, and does not require a fixed line phone. Expansion will continue throughout 2007 and will be able to serve 10,000 customers.

Mobile WiMAX is the new emerging global standard for broadband wireless and is being introduced into the market in phases. Navini Networks is on the leading edge of rolling out Mobile WiMAX solutions.

With a software upgrade, Scarlet's current network will be 802.16e standard (Wave 1) compliant. The system will come with Wave 2 beamforming capability via Navini's trademark Smart WiMAX(TM). Navini's Smart WiMAX(TM) is the innovative combination of mobile WiMAX with Navini's patented Smart Beamforming & beamformed MIMO, which enhances range and throughput performance.

Scarlet's CEO, Eric E. Stakland commented, "We believe the effects of convergence of broadband and mobility will be substantial in the marketplace within two years. In our view, a broadband network with Mobile WiMAX technology will be a stronger delivery platform for future services than cellular will ever be."

"We are delighted to provide Scarlet with the technology to deliver these exciting new services," said Roger Dorf, Navini's President and CEO. "As more and more consumers experience personal broadband, the demand will continue to grow. Personal broadband is irresistible."

Scarlet is introducing new product and service offerings in early 2007. The new MyScarlet(R) VoIP service includes a choice of unlimited calling to Netherlands (fixed) or U.S./Canada at no additional cost for Scarlet One subscribers. Stakland explained, "Our enhanced density of base stations, particularly in Curacao's business centers, will support the increasing use of Scarlet One in businesses and the use of PC cards for portable broadband in laptops. Our intention is to enable business customers who are out of their office to remain connected online wherever they are."

Scarlet also offers prepaid Personal Broadband, tailored to dial-up customers wanting higher performance without paying more. Robbert Willemsen, manager of Scarlet's sales teams and its dial-up services, commented, "Our dial-up customers average 40 to 50 guilders (USD $22-$28) per month in phone charges, with many exceeding 100 guilders (USD $55) per month in addition to their monthly subscription fees. For customers using the Internet for less than an hour per day, Prepaid Scarlet One will save them money while doubling their connection speed."

About Scarlet:

Scarlet B.V. is part of the Scarlet group of companies based in the Netherlands where the parent company has been providing long distance and data services in Europe since 1992. Scarlet, formerly Antillean Network Management N.V., has been operating in the Netherlands Antilles since 1995 on the island of St. Maarten, since 1999 in Curacao, and since 2001 in Bonaire.

Scarlet has grown to be the leading alternative choice to the government-owned incumbents. Scarlet offers long distance voice services and Internet access services to corporate and residential customers on the islands of Curacao, Bonaire, and St. Maarten, and to wholesale carrier customers in the Caribbean, the U.S. and Europe. Scarlet operates a redundant and robust network with switching hubs in Curacao, St. Maarten, Miami, and Belgium, all interconnected by means of undersea fiber-optics. Scarlet specializes in post-sale customer service with a 365-day-per-year helpdesk, a retail store with repair department, and face-to-face customer service and sales personnel.

For general information on Scarlet, please visit the website at http://www.scarlet.an/.

About Navini Networks

Navini Networks is the leader in providing portable, plug-n-play broadband wireless access solutions, with the largest commercial deployments in the world, over 70 commercial networks in 6 continents and strategic partnerships with industry leaders. Navini is the only company that has the patented Smart Beamforming technology, enabling personal broadband for the mass market today, with a seamless upgrade to the Mobile WiMAX standard to deliver Smart WiMAX(TM). (Smart WiMAX(TM) is the combination of mobile WiMAX with Smart Beamforming & MIMO). Navini's Ripwave(R) MX portable, zero-install(TM), non-line-of-sight (NLOS) solution consists of customer modems, base stations, and element management systems (EMS) that run in the full range of spectrums with software upgrades to the IEEE 802.16e standard.

Navini Networks is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum and the IEEE 802.16e committee. Headquartered in Richardson, Texas.

http://www.navini.com/.

Source: Scarlet B.V.; Navini Networks

CONTACT: Maryvonne Tubb of Navini Networks, +1-972-852-4247, mtubb@navini.com

Web site: http://www.navini.com/
http://www.scarlet.an/

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