fSONA Introduces Scalable FSO System for Wireless Backhaul -- the SONAbeam 52-M

fSONA announces at SUPERCOMM the release of the SONAbeam 52-M -- a carrier-class Free Space Optical (FSO) system that addresses the needs of wireless carriers today and into the future. The SONAbeam 52-M is the first scalable-bandwidth FSO product to be offered in a carrier-class housing. It provides datarate-transparent transmission from 1.5 to 52 Mbps including NxT1/E1, DS3, E3, OC-1/STM-0 and SONET/SDH standards.

Vancouver, Canada -- June 4, 2002 -- fSONA announces at SUPERCOMM the release of the SONAbeam 52-M -- a carrier-class Free Space Optical (FSO) system that addresses the needs of wireless carriers today and into the future.

The SONAbeam 52-M is the first scalable-bandwidth FSO product to be offered in a carrier-class housing. It provides datarate-transparent transmission from 1.5 to 52 Mbps including NxT1/E1, DS3, E3, OC-1/STM-0 and SONET/SDH standards.

As mobile wireless networks migrate from second-generation (2G) to third-generation (3G) technologies, bandwidth requirements will grow dramatically.
Predictions are that the worldwide number of cell sites will nearly triple over the next 5 years. Backhaul for these networks will need to be scalable to adapt to this growing demand for bandwidth. SONAbeam FSO technology offers a rate-adaptable, carrier-class solution that is a perfect fit for backhaul applications.

By listening to our customers we discovered that wireless carriers are facing two challenges - the first is to minimize capital and operating expenditures in their current network, the second is to build that network to support an incremental migration to next-generation services." said Theresa Carbonneau, President and CEO, fSONA Communications. Because the SONAbeam 52-M is able to multiply capacity as needed, carriers can update their network with FSO today and be ready to provide next-generation services in the future."

Replacing leased lines with FSO allows a mobile operator to install a scalable-bandwidth solution that is owned rather than leased. Bypassing the incumbents means wireless carriers are not tied to a recurring monthly expense that grows with each upgrade. The time and cost to secure licensing and address interference issues associated with microwave can also be circumvented by FSO -- it is an unlicensed technology and, even in dense mesh configurations, there is no interference.

According to a September 2001 report by Strategis Group, FSO sales for backhaul are expected to grow from $34 million in 2000 to $627 million in 2006. Also, a November 2001 report issued by Bear Stearns, predicts Fixed-Wireless sales for backhaul are expected to grow from $4,150 million in 2000 to $6,482 million in 2005.

SONAbeams FSO technology uses invisible light beams to deliver high-speed wireless communications that are reliable and secure. Rugged and robust, SONAbeam provides more power output than any other FSO product on the market. More power translates into greater availability and longer distance transmission.

About fSONA:

fSONA Communications designs and manufactures the award-winning SONAbeam series of free space optical (FSO) wireless systems for delivering high-speed communications to carriers, service providers and enterprises.

SONAbeam systems use an unlicensed, wireless technology operating at speeds up to 1.25 Gbps and distances up to 4km. SONAbeam systems are marketed worldwide and installed in 11 countries around the world.

fSONA was founded in 1997 after reaching an exclusive global licensing agreement for free-space optical receiver technology developed by British Telecom Labs in the U.K. fSONA is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with regional sales offices worldwide.

Further Information:

Jennifer Walsh
1-877-463-7662
jwalsh@fsona.com

fSONA and SONAbeam are trademarks of fSONA, Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective companies.