NEC’s Ultra Compact Microwave Communications System, PASOLINK, Selected by Turkey’s Avea to Support the Growth of Mobile Backhaul Solutions

Tokyo, 29 June 2009 - NEC Corporation (NEC) announced today its selection by Turkey’s Avea (Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey, CEO: Erkan Akdemir) to provide a mobile backhaul solution through NEC’s ultra compact microwave communications system, PASOLINK, in cooperation with local partner, Karel Electronics Corporation.

Turkey is one of the largest mobile communications markets among Europe and the Middle East, boasting a total of 64 million mobile phone customers. Avea is the country’s third largest mobile operator, with 12.6 million mobile subscribers; a 19.5% market share.

Turkey’s mobile phone operators will launch 3G services in August 2009, and in order to secure new subscribers to their services, operators are aggressively expanding their 3G high-speed data transmission infrastructure. Avea is also scheduled to begin 3G services and PASOLINK NEO will be used to carry out transmission between 3G mobile base stations. NEC expects to provide Avea with approximately 5,000 terminals by 2011.

NEC has supplied PASOLINK to nearly all of Turkey’s mobile operators, and boasts a wide majority of the country’s ultra compact microwave communications system market share. NEC views its selection to provide this latest microwave system as recognition of Avea’s high regard for NEC services and systems.

PASOLINK's greatest advantages include its ability to easily and inexpensively respond to increasing telecommunications needs. The system has become the driving force behind the expansion of a wide variety of product applications' ability to handle different operating conditions, such as increasing data capacities and interfaces, without installing new hardware. Furthermore, an exceptional MTBF (Mean Time between Failure) of more than one hundred years, achieved through the NEC Group's integrated production system, ensures the product's long term reliability.

The rapidly increasing number of mobile phone subscribers and individuals accessing mobile Internet services require swift creation and support of microwave communications systems and quality infrastructure. As a leading global provider of wireless broadband communications systems, NEC will continue to proactively develop and promote innovative new technologies.

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.  

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