Motorola Plans Neotel WiMAX and CDMA Networks in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Motorola, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with Neotel, South Africa's second national operator, for Radio Frequency (RF) planning of its WiMAX and CDMA wireless networks in South Africa. This is the first contract between Motorola and Neotel, and over a period of time, will encompass the RF planning for various wireless technologies including WiMAX and CDMA.

Ajay Pandey, Managing Director of Neotel said, "With its recognized technology leadership, Motorola is ideally placed to bring its vast global experience and competency to effectively support Neotel in achieving its ambitious growth objectives. We're proud to be the first alternative infrastructure based network provider in the telecoms sector in South Africa and are committed to offering our subscribers high quality, cost effective services. This agreement with Motorola is another important step in this direction."

Motorola's efficient and scaleable solutions will ensure optimal network plans for Neotel and cost-effective networks to support affordable services for the end-user.

Motorola is a global leader in both WiMAX and CDMA in addition to its industry leadership in advanced multi-vendor, multi-technology network performance services, including the RF planning services delivered under this agreement with Neotel. To date, Motorola has announced four WiMAX contract wins and is participating in 22 WiMAX trials globally.

Ali Amer, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Networks & Enterprise said, "We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Neotel. Motorola recognizes the changing structure of the South African telecoms market, having been in this market for several decades. With our knowledge, skills and comprehensive portfolio of services for WiMAX and CDMA, we are confident that we will effectively support Neotel in designing robust networks that will enable the operator to meet its objectives and the needs of the South African public."

Motorola and Neotel are committed to building the communities in which they operate in and will use local Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) suppliers to conduct site surveys around the country.

Neotel officially launched its first services to the wholesale telecoms market on 31 August 2006. Neotel's service portfolio includes basic voice and data services, high-speed internet (as well as true broadband access), virtual private networks, network management and hosting services that can be assembled cost-effectively to meet the specific business and technology needs of each user.

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.9 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com/ .

About Neotel

Neotel is the second national operator in South Africa. The company aims to reduce the cost of doing business by enhancing the operational efficiencies of companies through the optimal use of advanced communications technologies. In this way, Neotel will extend these benefits into the second economy. In recognition of the changing requirements of telecom users in South Africa, Neotel's vision is to become a preferred provider of leading-edge telecommunications, well beyond the traditional concept of a fixed line operator. Its various telecom licenses, including the PSTS License allows the company to provide the entire range of telecoms services with the exception of full mobility. More information about Neotel is available at http://www.neotel.co.za/ .

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