Cedarcom (LEBANON) deploys DragonWave’s Horizon Compact for backhaul in its award winning MOBI and WiMAX Wireless Networks

Ottawa, Canada / Beirut, Lebanon, June 22, 2009 - DragonWave Inc. (TSX: DWI) the worlds’ leading supplier of packet microwave radio systems for mobile and access networks, today announced that Cedarcom, the leading Lebanese telecommunications provider is deploying the Horizon Compact to deliver high capacity Ethernet backhaul throughout its Mobi and WiMAX networks.

Cedarcom’s network provides extensive coverage, both indoor and outdoor, using multiple wireless technologies. Global connectivity is delivered to its business and residential customers via innovative broadband packages providing bandwidth up to 2 Mbps. As the Mobi network continues to grow, the Horizon Compact is playing a key role in extending coverage to major cities in Mount Lebanon, North, South, and Bekaa valley.

Compared to traditional TDM or hybrid (TDM/IP) microwave solutions the Horizon Compact has many advantages. Extensive cost optimization can be realized through smarter network design and inherent scalability. The best characteristics of ring, mesh and traditional hub and spoke design can be combined to effect TCO (total cost of ownership) improvements of up to 40%.

Alan Solheim, DragonWave’s VP of Marketing noted that “cash flow is optimized throughout the product life-cycle and on multiple levels; training costs are lower, installation and commissioning costs are lower, operations and maintenance costs are lower. Site costs are driven down by product characteristics that include low power consumption, minimal tower or mast-loading and simplified cabling.”

Echoing those comments, Imad Tarabay, CEO at Cedarcom said “the Horizon Compact has become an extremely potent backhaul solution in our network. It has helped us drive our costs down while at the same time providing the bandwidth scalability we need to grow our business. Our objective is to consistently build and deliver new, attractive and competitively priced services. In this context a DragonWave powered backhaul network provides an excellent foundation for future expansion in our business.”

A class leading packet microwave product the Horizon Compact operates in bands from 6 GHz to 38 GHz and is capable of delivering scalable backhaul capacity from 10 Mbps to 800 Mbps. Introduced in 2007, it is the first packet microwave platform to deliver carrier grade Ethernet performance in an all outdoor, fully integrated enclosure. Combined with a comprehensive software-driven feature set the Horizon Compact enables operators such as Cedarcom to fully exploit the cost savings that can be generated using Ethernet backhaul.

About Cedarcom SAL
Cedarcom is the first and only Fixed & Mobile Broadband Wireless Data Provider in Lebanon, providing a breadth of data communication, secure access and last mile solutions to the local industry. Cedarcom holds a wireless data networking license under decree number 10172, allowing the deployment and operation of a country-wide wireless data network with the advanced Broadband technology. Cedarcom has licensed spectrum in the 1.9 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 7.5 GHz and 23 GHz frequency bands, and provides secure wireless access, data networking and last-mile solutions to banks, ISPs, ASPs, insurance companies, universities, multi-branch offices, etc. The company is the first wireless operator to deploy MPLS based services and MPLS VPN in the Middle East. For more information on Cedarcom, go to http://www.cedarcom.net and for more info on MOBI service please visit http://www.mobi.tm

About DragonWave
DragonWave™ is a leading provider of high-capacity packet microwave radio systems used in emerging IP networks. DragonWave designs, develops, and markets carrier-grade packet microwave radio frequency networking equipment that transmit broadband voice, video and other data. DragonWave’s products, which are based on a native Ethernet platform, function as a wireless extension to an existing fiber-optic core telecommunications network. The principal application for DragonWave’s products is the backhaul function in a wireless communications network. Additional applications for DragonWave’s products include point-to-point transport in private networks, including municipal and enterprise networks. DragonWave’s corporate headquarters is located in Ottawa, Ontario, with sales locations in Europe, Middle East and North America. The company’s Web site is http://www.dragonwaveinc.com

Media Contacts
Rana Mortada
PR & Marketing Division
Cedarcom Broadband
rhm@cedarcom.net
Tel: +961 128-0222 ext 402

Nadine Kittle
Marketing Communications
DragonWave Inc.
nkittle@dragonwaveinc.com
Tel: (613) 599-9991 ext 2262

Becky Obbema
Interprose Public Relations
(for DragonWave)
Becky.Obbema@interprosepr.com
Tel: (408) 778-2024

Contact Information

Imad Tarabay

CEO

Cedarcom-Mobi

Contact via E-mail