NetAmerica and Ericsson Bring Advanced 4G LTE CPE to Rural U.S. Markets

DALLAS, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NetAmerica Alliance, LLC today announced that members of the NetAmerica Alliance are the first service providers to deploy Ericsson's powerful 4G LTE Mobile Broadband Router in the U.S.

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Marketed by the NetAmerica Alliance as the UniPort Home Gateway, it serves as a multi-function gateway between the home or small business and the power of the NetAmerica 4G LTE network and is declared ready for commercial service.  

The UniPort is a mobile broadband router which presents a 4G LTE wireless broadband connection to the network and offers wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and RJ-11 telephone interfaces toward the customer premise.  It was developed by Ericsson and is provided to Alliance Members through the technology partnership announced between Ericsson and NetAmerica in 2011.

While flexibility and simplicity are its hallmarks, the UniPort is an extremely dynamic device.  It has a DHCP server, supports DHCP relay, a DNS server, built in firewall, security, encryption, web-based management, centralized monitoring, IP routing and supports VoIP for voice services.   In conjunction with NetAmerica's IMS SuperCenter, a flexible suite of voice services will be offered, both to conventional telephones (connected to its RJ-11 port) and to IP phones (up to 4) connected via Wi-Fi or via an RJ-45 port.  The UniPort is also available with various external antennas to enable it to provide robust service in heretofore hard to reach rural locations.  Through this single device, residential and small business customers can have full on-premise networking while being connected to the wide area network over a 4G LTE wireless broadband connection.

"Alliance Members have been putting the UniPort through its paces since last fall when we announced the launch of our pilot network," said Scott Donlea, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of NetAmerica. "We are confident to say it is ready for commercial service and both customers and Alliance Members have been pleased with its ease of use and powerful features."

"Ericsson and NetAmerica continue to work closely together to bring advanced mobile broadband solutions to rural America," said Craig Stein, EVP & GM, US Regions, Broadband & Media at Ericsson. "Since announcing our technology partnership last year, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that rural citizens have access to advanced applications and solutions."

NetAmerica  has joined forces with rural independent license holders, that are deploying  converged 4G wireless/wireline networks, to provide business and network services including advanced multi-media IP services, 24/7 network monitoring, 4G network elements, and other key services needed to build the converged network of the future. 

About NetAmerica Alliance, LLC
NetAmerica Alliance, LLC is an alliance of independent carriers, led by an experienced management team, who have joined forces to build-out 4G LTE service in the carriers' license coverage areas.  Through the Alliance, members gain collective strength and cost advantages comparable to that of large carriers.  In effect, many separate operating entities essentially become one, while maintaining their independence.

NetAmerica provides buying power, nationwide branding, marketing and training programs, a network operations center, key networking elements, applications development and nationwide roaming arrangements.  Members run the network in their own territories, while NetAmerica provides the critical mass and economies of scale needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. Website: www.netAmericaAlliance.com.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.

Press Contact:
Chuck Harris
NetAmerica Alliance, LLC
954-654-5152 (mobile)
[email protected]
www.netAmericaAlliance.com

SOURCE NetAmerica Alliance, LLC