Taiwan Mobile Deploys Axerra Networks' Pseudo-Wire Solutions for Cost-Effective Mobile Wireless Backhaul

Business Wire, Jan 28, 2008

Enables Significant OPEX Savings in the RAN for Backhaul of UMTS and GSM Voice and Data Traffic

TAIPEI, Taiwan & BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Axerra Networks, "The Pseudo-Wire Company[R]" and the leading provider of circuit emulation and service emulation solutions, today announced that Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. has deployed Axerra's Pseudo-Wire solutions in its radio access network (RAN) for the backhaul of UMTS and GSM voice and data traffic. Axerra's award-winning Pseudo-Wire solutions enable Taiwan Mobile to utilize the power, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of Carrier Ethernet as a full-service alternative to TDM backhaul in the mobile wireless RAN.

Taiwan Mobile, formerly Taiwan Cellular Communications (TCC) Group, is one of the largest mobile operators in Taiwan. After a rigorous competitive evaluation, Taiwan Mobile selected Axerra Networks' AXN Pseudo-Wire Gateways and Access Devices[TM] to provide full-service backhaul of its 3G UMTS and 2G GSM voice and data traffic over a packet access network.

"We are thrilled with the excellent performance of Axerra's solution and its ability to support from a single platform both GSM and UMTS backhaul over IP or Ethernet," said Harvey Chang, President of Taiwan Mobile. "Axerra's performance over wireless Ethernet was particularly impressive and will enable us to implement a more efficient three-tier grooming architecture."

Axerra's scalable Pseudo-Wire solutions, deployed in cell sites and central offices, enable a new era in RAN backhaul that supports the transport of voice and high-speed data over packet access networks. The AXN Pseudo-Wire solutions simultaneously enable operators to significantly reduce recurring costs while catalyzing the deployment of Carrier Ethernet, GPON/EPON, xDSL, HFC, and WiMAX in the RAN. Axerra's solutions enable the support of all generations of mobile wireless networks, including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS (with full Iub packetization), and HSxPA, preserve native signaling and features across packet networks, enable bandwidth sharing, and provide the high-precision clock recovery capabilities that are required for reliable mobile services. AXN Pseudo-Wire Gateways and Access Devices support circuit emulation and service emulation, including Frame Relay/HDLC, Ethernet, and even ATM services for 2G, 2.5G, 3G, and 3.5G voice and data aggregation from a single box. AXN Pseudo-Wire platforms control latency, jitter, and packet loss - critical capabilities for reliable mobile applications.

"With Axerra's Pseudo-Wire solutions, Taiwan Mobile stands to benefit from the substantial OpEx savings that derive from utilizing packet access networks rather than expensive E1 leased lines for mobile wireless backhaul," said Gil Itkin, Axerra's VP Sales - APAC. "These savings will be even more substantial as Taiwan Mobile continues its plan to roll out bandwidth-hungry HSDPA services."

In June 2007, Axerra Networks was named the recipient of a NXTcomm Eos Award as a runner-up in the category of Technology Innovative: Access Networking. In February 2007, and for the second year in a row, Axerra was a "commended" finalist in the GSM Association Global Mobile Awards for "best radio access product or service." Axerra will be showcasing its award-winning solutions at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona from February 11 - 14, 2008 at Stand # 4-1HS01 in the Israel Mobile Pavilion, Hall 4 Level 1.

About Taiwan Mobile

Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. (formerly Taiwan Cellular Corp.) is the leading mobile communications provider in Taiwan. The company provides wireless telecommunications voice and network services. It was the first non-state owned company in Taiwan to receive a GSM 1800 license and was the first private telecommunications company to go public. Taiwan Mobile launched Taiwan's first 3G network in May 2005 and is further enhancing its services to subscribers with an expanded network that includes High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) services. Taiwan Mobile serves its customers through retail outlets, franchises, and in partnership with affiliates and subsidiaries including Taiwan Fixed Network Co., Ltd. (TFN), TT&T, TransAsia Telecommunications, and MOBITAI Communications. For more information, please visit: www.taiwanmobile.com.

About Axerra Networks, Inc.

Axerra Networks is the leading provider of circuit emulation and service emulation solutions over packet access networks. Axerra's Pseudo-Wire solutions enable incumbent carriers, competitive service providers, mobile wireless operators, and cable MSOs to extend IP legacy voice and data services in native format over Ethernet, IP, and MPLS networks. The result is greater operational efficiency, new revenue opportunities, and a smooth migration strategy to a single converged network, without losing any revenue streams from profitable legacy services. With Axerra's Pseudo-Wire solutions, service providers can convert any packet access network (Carrier Ethernet, broadband wireless including WiMAX, cable HFC, xDSL, xPON, etc.) into a full-service alternative to TDM access. For more information, please visit: www.axerra.com.