Altobridge Wireless Network goes Live in Tonga

TCC Tonga launches new mobile-broadband-enabled network ahead of schedule

Kerry Technology Park, Ireland, 26th August, 2010 – Tonga’s new mobile-broadband-enabled GSM network, delivered and installed by Altobridge, the leading supplier of remote communications solutions, is launched today by Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), the country’s leading provider of complete end-to-end telephony and Internet services, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Tonga, the Honourable Dr. Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele.

Today’s commercial launch, which takes place in the capital, Nuku’alofa, follows the May award to Altobridge by TCC of a contract for the replacement of the previous macro-GSM network, and is aimed at ensuring the continuous provision of service across the three main island groups: Tongatapu, Vava’u and Ha’apai. Roll-out has been completed well within the six-month timeframe allocated to the deployment’s first phase.

An integral part of today’s milestone event is the demonstration of mobile broadband based on Altobridge’s EDGE-capable network. Reliable, high-speed data access and coverage to even the remotest parts of the island nation will be demonstrated.

TCC Managing Director, Timote Katoanga, said, “Today marks a new beginning in the provision of advanced mobile communications services throughout our nation and we are delighted that Altobridge’s efforts have enabled us to go live earlier than expected. We are also most privileged to have the support of the Tongan Government on this important day and are delighted that the Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, has taken the time to be with us to celebrate the occasion and inaugurate the new network"

Also in attendance at the event, Altobridge CEO, Mike Fitzgerald, said, “We are delighted to have been selected by TCC to deploy its new mobile-broadband-enabled network and that, combined with our remote communications expertise, this network will help maintain and deliver advanced communications to connect Tonga’s population, including the thousands of people who remain unconnected.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE LAUNCH EVENT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE IMAGES TO HELP MEET TIGHT DEADLINES PLEASE CONTACT TIM GUEST: tguest@altobridge.com

Notes for Editors:
About Altobridge - www.altobridge.com
Headquartered at Kerry Technology Park, Ireland, with further R&D, service and sales offices in San Jose (USA), Shenzhen (China), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Altobridge is a leading provider of telecommunications solutions that cut the cost of communications to, from and between wireless devices. Altobridge sells wireless network solutions and can provide Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Government Organisations & NGOs with a Fully Managed Service, working hand-in-hand with local, in-country service partners. At the heart of the company’s offering lie the patented and patent-pending technologies: Local ConnectivityTM, Split ArchitectureTM and Data at the Edge™, which drive down backhaul costs, reduce power consumption and offer MNOs new incremental revenue from the broad, untapped, global remote community subscriber base.

Following the strategic acquisition of the ADC Mobile Network Solutions business in December 2009, Altobridge can now offer customers a broader portfolio of products and services.

Altobridge’s wireless network solutions are deployed and operational in more than 20 countries across the globe.

Further information about Altobridge’s network offerings
is available to MNOs at: info@altobridge.com

About Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) - www.tcc.to
Like many telecommunications service providers, Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) began life as part of the island nation’s Post & Telegraph Department. This later went on to become the Telephone & Telegraph Department. In July 1978 the Telephone & Telegraph department split the business into international and domestic. The International business was taken over by Cable & Wireless Plc of the UK and the domestic business was re-christened Tonga Telecommunication Commission (TTC). In July 2000, Cable & Wireless Plc exited Tonga and the company was then merged with the domestic business to form Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) as we are known today.

Today’s TCC is a 100% Tongan-owned company and Tonga’s only full service communications company offering total communication solutions. TCC is a public enterprise and falls under the Ministry of Public Enterprises of the Government of Tonga.
TCC employs more than 300 people spread over seven operating divisions, namely: Administration & HR, Sales and Marketing, Finance, Corporate and Finance Operations, Internal Audit, Engineering, Settlement & Roaming.
Issued by the Corporate Communications Department of Altobridge Limited.


For further information at Altobridge, contact:
Annette Grealish,
Marketing Manager
Altobridge Ltd
Tel: +353 66 7190210
Email: agrealish@altobridge.com

For further information at TCC, contact:
Paula Mosa’ati,
Acting Sales & Marketing Manager
Tonga Communications Corporation
M: +676 7863700
Email: paula.mosaati@tcc.to

Contact Information

Tim Guest

Altobridge Corporate Communications at

Global Media and Analyst Relations

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