NEC Secures a Leading Position with WiMAX (TM) 3.5GHz Certification from the WiMAX Forum(R)

Tokyo, April 1, 2009 - NEC Corporation announced today that it has been awarded the WiMAX Forum Certified (TM) seal of approval for its comprehensive 3.5GHz WiMAX base station, PASOWINGS.

NEC is one of the first to receive 3.5GHz certification, securing its position as a leading global supplier of WiMAX networks, and placing it at the heart of related innovation and development.

The WiMAX Forum certification means that NEC’s PASOWINGS customers can have absolute confidence in its interoperability with other certified products, without conducting expensive lab tests, and that operators are provided with a technological ecosystem featuring the most advanced solutions.

NEC plays a key role in the ongoing work to maintain a high standard of integration within the WiMAX market, which includes the supply of equipment and the testing of resources in the early phases of the certification process. NEC is also working closely with lead certification labs in Asia Pacific and Europe as part of its steady commitment to continue WiMAX development.

“Our ultimate goal is to promote and accelerate the introduction of wireless broadband through compatible and interoperable broadband wireless products. Each newly certified product faces a stringent suite of interoperability tests, which allows the WiMAX Forum to ensure that different vendor systems work seamlessly with one another, aiding a first class, global WiMAX ecosystem,” said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum. “NEC’s strides in certification set an example for the WiMAX industry and provide operators with the access to WiMAX Forum Certified products they need to make their networks a success.”

According to Dr. Nobuhiro Endo, associate senior vice president with NEC, “NEC sees certification as being at the heart of the WiMAX ecosystem. The certification of this open standards based platform allows NEC to drive interworking with other MIMO and Uplink CSM manufacturers. This advancement in technology and collaboration gives operators the ability to increase bandwidth two-fold over previously certified systems.”

“WiMAX Forum certification brings us one step closer towards NEC’s vision of a ubiquitous network that utilizes WiMAX not only for broadband access, but for digital dividends such as e-medicine. Our success also sends an extremely positive message about the WiMAX ecosystem’s future to those seeking evidence of the technology’s growing maturity,” said Endo.

This latest certification follows NEC’s previous WiMAX certification successes. Notably, in July of last year, NEC became one of the first manufacturers to be certified on 2.5GHz base stations and terminals through the WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Lab in Taiwan.

NEC's WiMAX portfolio of wide support for Mobile WiMA (TM) elements makes it the wireless technology of choice for next generation networks, and enables high speed data access, VoIP, MVNO businesses and value added services such as Mobile SaaS (Software as a Service) and video surveillance.
 

About the PASOWINGS Base Station
NEC's PASOWINGS Macro Base Station featuring advanced coverage and capacity enhancement technologies such as MIMO-A/B and Uplink Collaborative MIMO allows economical deployment of true broadband access networks. The system is being deployed and providing outstanding and stable performance for governmental and commercial projects in such advanced WiMAX markets as Taiwan. The PASOWINGS Macro Base Station accommodates the following key features;
- Fully-compliant with IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard specifications
- Compact and flexible hardware structure for simple installation
- User friendly operation
- Supports various frequency and bandwidth requirements
- Cost-effective Wave2 infrastructure system supporting a wide range of functionalities

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of a diversified global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. For additional information, please visit the NEC website at: http://www.nec.com.  

About WiMAX Forum (R)
The WiMAX Forum (R) is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization formed to certify and promote the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon the harmonized IEEE 802.16/ETSI HiperMAN standard. A WiMAX Forum goal is to accelerate the introduction of these systems into the marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified products are interoperable and support broadband fixed, nomadic, portable and mobile services. Along these lines, the WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements. Through the WiMAX Forum Congress Events Series of global trade shows and events, the WiMAX Forum is committed to furthering education, training and collaboration to expand the reach of the WiMAX ecosystem. For more information, visit the trade show link at www.wimaxforum.org.

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. ©2009 NEC Corporation.

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