NetAmerica and Ericsson to Bring Comprehensive 4G Solution to Rural Markets

DALLAS, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NetAmerica Alliance, LLC and Ericsson today announced a technology partnership to bring wireless spectrum owners (700MHz and AWS) in rural markets, the economies of scale, solutions and capabilities they need to provide advanced communication services to their communities.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110322/DA68213LOGO )

NetAmerica joined forces with rural independent license holders, that are deploying  converged 4G wireless/wireline networks, to provide them with business and network services including combined buying power, nationwide branding, 24x7 network monitoring, 4G core networking elements, applications development and other key services needed to build the converged network of the future.  

Central to the solutions offered by NetAmerica are the equipment and technology used in the core network and in the local communities served by individual alliance participants.  This includes Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio functionality, a state-of-the-art Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a leading-edge architecture based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and a family of 4G-centric home and small business gateways. After an exhaustive evaluation process, NetAmerica chose Ericsson as their technology partner to provide these critical components.

"Our requirements and those of our participants demanded more than just a vendor relationship," said Roger Hutton, Chairman and CEO of NetAmerica. "We needed a partner who could truly work with us and our alliance participants to not only bring 4G wireless to their communities but to provide true converged services for their wireline business as well.  After an extensive evaluation of all the major suppliers, Ericsson proved to be that partner."

"This is a new type of LTE deployment," said Arun Bhikshesvaran, Head of Strategy and Market Development, Ericsson North America. "NetAmerica is making it possible for smaller operators to join together to deliver cost effectively the same mobile broadband services available in major metropolitan areas. The socioeconomic benefits of broadband services in metropolitan areas are well proven and, with applications designed for rural consumers, one can only imagine the extent to which the people and businesses in these markets will become more empowered and more productive as a result of this opportunity."

4G/LTE is recognized by many as the next step in the future of telecommunications.  Large carriers are now starting to bring 4G enabled services based on LTE technology to metropolitan markets.  Independent carriers have a long heritage of offering leading edge services to their communities and the NetAmerica Alliance enables them to continue that legacy of innovation.  

About NetAmerica Alliance, LLC

NetAmerica Alliance, LLC is a company comprised of an experienced organization and management team coupled with independent spectrum license holders who agree to build out their regions as part of a consortium, thus gaining collective strength and cost advantages comparable to large carriers. Through the alliance, 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, core networking elements, applications development and nationwide roaming arrangements. Participants 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 and that actual results may differ materially as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

SOURCE NetAmerica Alliance, LLC