Airvana and VeriSign Team for Femtocell Network Authentication

Companies Breaking New Ground in Deployment of Device Certificates for HubBub UMTS Femtocell

LONDON, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Femtocells World Summit -- Airvana, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRV), the company transforming the mobile experience, and VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world, today announced that the two companies are working to deploy device certificates for Airvana's HubBub(TM) UMTS Femtocell. The certificates will be embedded into the HubBub UMTS femtocell, allowing operators to authenticate these devices before allowing access to core networks and services.

Device certificates are unique digital identifiers that are embedded into a device -- for instance, a femtocell -- to enable strong authentication and encryption. By seamlessly and securely authenticating devices on the operator's network, device certificates eliminate the need for passwords or any action from the end user. As a result, network operators can ensure that only trusted devices will be authorized to make connections while rogue devices will be easily identified and blocked from gaining access.

The work between VeriSign and Airvana builds on efforts currently taking place within the Femto Forum and the 3GPP SA3 security standards group to establish an implementation standard for network authentication for femtocells using a certificate-based model. The use of certificates has already proven successful for similar technologies such as cable modems -- with VeriSign providing trusted solutions for that community. The collaboration between the two companies will provide an authentication solution for operators deploying Airvana HubBub femtocells. The joint effort will also help drive authentication requirements for femtocells, which in turn will accelerate industry efforts toward a common approach that will facilitate large-scale, multi-vendor femtocell implementations. This activity represents a meaningful step forward in the implementation of 3GPP's overall femtocell-to-core network interface specifications including Iuh communications protocol and device management.

"Collaborating with Airvana, a leader in the femtocell market, will once again allow VeriSign to implement security into a device-driven network at the earliest stages of development of a technology ecosystem," said Adam Geller, vice president of PKI solutions at VeriSign. "As with other network access technologies, security is of critical importance to the long-term prospects for widespread adoption. Operators need to know that their deployment of femtocells will not compromise their core networks, and subscribers want assurance that their home networks are secure. Using certificates to manage the relationship between the femtocell and the core network is one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods to provide this level of trust to all parties involved."

"Both operators and subscribers must be confident that femtocell technology is highly secure in order to embrace it fully," explained Glenn Laxdal, vice president of femtocell product management, Airvana. "Airvana has been at the forefront of solving tough femtocell implementation challenges including RF interference and femto service management. Through our work with VeriSign we are tackling one of the last implementation hurdles and will deliver to operators and subscribers femtocell technology that is backed by a recognized leader in security and authentication technology and services."

About Airvana

Airvana (Nasdaq: AIRV) helps operators transform the mobile experience for users worldwide. The company's high-performance technology and products, from comprehensive UMTS and CDMA 3G femtocell solutions based on the HubBub(TM) femtocell, to core mobile network infrastructure, enable operators to deliver compelling and consistent broadband services to mobile subscribers, wherever they are. Airvana's products are deployed in 70 commercial networks on all six continents. The company is headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass., USA, with offices worldwide. For more information, please visit www.airvana.com.

About VeriSign

VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.

    Media Contacts
    Robert Morton
    Davies Murphy Group
    (781) 418-2400
    airvana@daviesmurphy.com

    Christina Rohall
    VeriSign, Inc.
    (650) 336-4663
    crohall@verisign.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Airvana, including without limitation, expectations related to its development of femtocell alliances, its shipments during future periods, its invoiced amounts, Billings and revenue for future periods, its relationship with Nortel, its ability to collect receivables and invoiced amounts from Nortel and the Nortel bankruptcy filing constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements typically contain the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," "continue" and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including without limitation Nortel's ability to reorganize successfully, Airvana's ability to secure court approval for payment of its receivables from Nortel, Airvana's ability to maintain its relationship with Nortel, the timing and rate of femtocell market acceptance and growth, operator femtocell deployment plans, the highly competitive and rapidly evolving market in which Airvana competes, Airvana's limited operating history, the fluctuation of its past operating results and its reliance on sales through Nortel for a significant portion of its revenues and product and service Billings and other factors discussed in Airvana's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Airvana's views as of the date of this press release. Airvana anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change. While Airvana may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Airvana's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance of any new products or services, including VeriSign Identity Protection services; the possibility that VeriSign's announced new services may not result in additional customers, profits or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

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SOURCE Airvana, Inc.

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