Aperto Networks Appoints Wireless Industry Luminary Rod Nelson to Board of Directors

Business Wire, Oct 11, 2004

MILPITAS, Calif. -- Aperto Networks, a leading 802.16 class broadband wireless access (BWA) systems provider, announced today it has appointed Rod Nelson to the company's board of directors. Nelson joins five other members, and brings a complementary wealth of expertise from one of the world's preeminent wireless carriers, AT&T Wireless.

Mr. Nelson is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at AT&T Wireless, where he defines the company's current and future wireless network architecture and technology direction. His focus includes planning for high-speed wireless IP data and the introduction of next generation network technology. He is also active in national and international forums that develop the global standards upon which future wireless networks will be based.

Since joining McCaw Cellular (now AT&T Wireless) in 1985, Nelson led the introduction of many wireless technologies and capabilities, including a nationwide signaling network for wireless automatic roaming; TDMA digital wireless service; dual band, dual mode phones; and wireless Intelligent Network services. He has held roles in cellular engineering, including cell planning, capital expenditures management, and network equipment procurement. He currently serves as Chairman of the 3G Americas trade group.

"Rod has great insights and expertise from his leadership at AT&T Wireless, McCaw Cellular and diverse wireless technologies like EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/ General Packet Radio Service)," stated Dr. Reza Ahy, Chairman and CEO of Aperto Networks. "We look forward to working closely with Rod on growing the synergistic value of our products to the wireless operators worldwide, with our 802.16-class solutions today and WiMAX-Certified solutions in 2005."

"Working with Aperto in its market-leading capacity within WiMAX, IEEE and ETSI offers me an important opportunity to influence the key BWA sector," added Rod Nelson. "I am very impressed with the scalability of Aperto's business model, solid technology and powerful value proposition with its customers. I look forward to the coming industry cycle as the lead players extend their strength into WiMAX-certified products - I'm confident that Aperto will further entrench its leadership."

Aperto Networks provides BWA systems to carriers in 50 countries, across the 2.5, 3.5 and 5 GHz licensed and unlicensed frequencies.

About Aperto Networks

Aperto Networks is a leader in 802.16-class multiservice broadband wireless access systems for global markets. The company was founded to provide breakthrough solutions to the bottleneck in last-mile broadband access, and is a founding board member of the WiMAX Forum as well as a founder and lead contributor to IEEE 802.16 and the ETSI-BRAN standards. Its PacketWave(R) system is a family of base stations, subscriber units, radios and antennas in 2.5, 3.5 and 5 GHz frequencies for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint deployment. PacketWave's scalability and patented technologies support new wireless builds and complement wireline broadband access networks. Aperto is already deployed in 50 countries, meeting service provider needs for installation ease, IP-rich network functionality, cost effectiveness, rapid provisioning and interference resilience. For more information on Aperto Networks, go to www.apertonet.com.