Donation in Conjunction with Harris to Help Restore Communications Infrastructure to Island in Wake of Earthquake

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aviat Networks (Nasdaq: AVNW), a leading wireless expert in advanced IP network migration, working in conjunction with Harris Corporation, today announced that it has donated telecommunications equipment worth greater than US$250K to Haiti relief efforts over the last month.  The donation, consisting largely of the company's TRuepoint® 5000 multi-service wireless transport platform, helped establish a working communications infrastructure for survivors and international aid workers in the region.

The donated radios have become the backbone connecting a number of response relief organizations including CHF International HQ, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Internews, among others.  The last microwave link was installed to complete connectivity to an improvised network between CHF and Save Our Children.   CHF International now has a high-speed network backbone that blankets Port Au Prince.  Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is evaluating the radio hardware to provide connectivity and communications restoration to its facility at the airfield.  The TRuepoint platform is widely deployed at many U.S.-based FAA facilities now.    

In addition, Aviat Networks is standing by to ship more systems from its San Antonio, Texas operations center contingent upon the developing needs of Haiti.

"To be able to coordinate any type of real assistance, there needs to be a reliable telecommunications structure, and we are happy to be able to assist in this effort," said Harald Braun, president and CEO of Aviat Networks. "We worked quickly with our partners during this crisis to ensure people have a reliable means of communication with people inside and outside of Haiti."

Because of the damage affecting the local telecommunications infrastructure and the strain put on it by the disaster-driven overcapacity, local mobile users have experienced widespread wireless outages, and those who have sent texts have experienced queue times of up to 24 hours before the messages were received.

"This situation exposed a problem that could potentially affect any nation, especially those underserved and underdeveloped regions that may only have a tentative telecommunications infrastructure in place," said Braun.  "With this crisis as our springboard, we need to work to ensure that in the future, local governments can implement standby communications systems that will work even if the rest of the network is down."

For more information on Aviat Networks' Haiti relief efforts, please contact Scott Smith at +1.408.944.3529, or by email at scott.smith@aviatnet.com.

About Aviat Networks, Inc.

Aviat Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVNW), previously known as Harris Stratex, is a leading wireless expert in advanced IP network migration, building the foundation for the 4G/LTE broadband future. We offer best-of-breed transformational wireless solutions, including LTE-ready microwave backhaul, WiMAX access and a complete portfolio of essential service options that enable wireless public and private telecommunications operators to deliver advanced data, voice and video and mobility services around the world. Aviat is agile and adaptive to anticipate what's coming to help our customers make the right choices, and our products and services are designed for flexible evolution, no matter what the future brings. With global reach and local presence on the ground we work by the side of our customers, allowing them to quickly and cost effectively seize new market and service opportunities, while managing migration toward an all- IP future.  For more information, please visit www.aviatnetworks.com.

SOURCE Aviat Networks, Inc.

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.aviatnetworks.com