James A. Yard to Lead Andrew Corporation's New Broadband Wireless Systems Group - Company Operations

Cambridge Telcom Report, Nov 22, 1999

Andrew Corporation has appointed James A. Yard vice president of its new broadband wireless systems group. Yard joins Andrew following more than 25 years of experience in cable TV (CATV) and MMDS, including four years at People's Choice TV Corporation and most recently in wireless network development work at Sprint.

The Andrew broadband wireless systems group will supply end-to-end high bandwidth wireless solutions for the worldwide MMDS market. These solutions will include Andrew Corporation's existing MMDS antennas and RF system infrastructure products. The Andrew broadband MMDS solutions will provide last mile connectivity via millimeter wave radio, point-to-point, or point-to-multipoint systems that bypass local networks to provide high-speed Internet access at speeds up to 100 Mbps. The Andrew integrated wireless networks will include IP as well as RF functionality and will be offered as fully installed and supported installations. Yard will head a global group from a new Andrew facility in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"We will offer solutions for the worldwide high speed data and Internet market, based on MMDS technology," said John Scott, Andrew Corporation's vice president of corporate R&D, marketing and MIS. "Jim Yard has an excellent record in building and leading high performance groups responsible for implementing system solutions."

"I'm excited to become part of a great company with a worldwide reputation for quality," added Yard. "Andrew has some great technology, which can be integrated into world class solutions for the booming high speed data and Internet market."

Yard was vice president of engineering at Preferred Entertainment, Inc. before joining People's Choice TV as technology officer in 1995. In his PCTV role, he was instrumental in the design and deployment of the SpeedChoice high speed data and Internet system in Phoenix. This network currently serves nearly 5,000 customers with wireless connections to the Internet and is regarded as one of the world's most successful wireless local loop bypass implementations.

Forty-eight years old, Mr. Yard began his communications career as a ham radio operator at the age of eight. He received his formal education at Iowa Wesleyan College and the University of Iowa.

Andrew Corporation is a global supplier of communications systems equipment and services. Major markets are wireless communications -- which includes cellular, personal communications services, and land mobile radio -- broadcast, and common carrier. Andrew is an S&P 500 company whose common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: ANDW. FMI: http://www.andrew.com.