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LGC Wireless Delivers Cellular Coverage on Cruise Ships for Wireless Maritime Services

Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean among Lines Offering Cellular Service on Dozens of Ships Worldwide

San Jose, Calif., June 12, 2006—LGC Wireless, the leader in advanced in-building wireless systems, today announced that Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc., is deploying its InterReach® Unison systems to enable high-quality cellular service for thousands of cruise ship passengers worldwide. LGC Wireless systems are currently deployed aboard some two dozen ships operated by the world’s leading cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Island Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

By deploying Unison systems aboard these vessels, WMS enables pervasive, “four bars” cellular coverage for passengers and crew despite the challenges of the ships’ all-steel construction. A typical installation brings in wireless signals through a ship-mounted satellite antenna, and then distributes the signal via Unison Main and Expansion Hubs plus roughly 60 antennas. Through its roaming partnerships with 340 cellular carriers worldwide, WMS ensures CDMA and GSM-based cellular services for any passenger anywhere.

“You might think that a cruise ship is the last place where someone would want cellular service, but it’s actually very popular,” said Rob Marjerison, vice president of deployment and business development at WMS. “In fact, many passengers won’t sail unless they know they have cellular coverage that allows them to remain in touch while on vacation. We have standardized on the Unison system because it allows us to support any carrier frequency and is much easier to install than other systems.”

Cruising is one of the most popular types of vacations worldwide, and the availability of cellular coverage is helping to spur business. Accordingly, Mr. Marjerison expects WMS to double the number of its ship deployments by the end of 2006.

LGC Wireless’ InterReach Unison system simplifies onboard deployments because ships typically have little room for network cabling, and the Unison system uses standard, flexible fiber and Cat-5 cabling. This cuts the time and difficulty of deployment significantly over other systems that rely on rigid coaxial cabling, which can be up to 7/8” in diameter.

“WMS is expanding the cruise ship business by enabling wireless coverage anywhere at sea, and we’re proud to be their chosen solution for shipboard coverage,” said John Spindler, vice president of marketing at LGC Wireless. “As these deployments prove, our products can deliver optimum cellular coverage for any carrier in any environment, no matter how challenging.”

About LGC Wireless

With more than 5,500 deployments worldwide, LGC Wireless is the leader in extending scalable, high-performance wireless coverage inside buildings and public facilities. LGC’s products offer low-cost installation, end-to-end monitoring and management, and easy integration of emerging wireless technologies. LGC Wireless is based in San Jose, California and is privately held. For more information, please visit www.lgcwireless.com.

About Wireless Maritime Services

Wireless Maritime Services, LLC (WMS) was founded in October of 2003. WMS delivers state-or-the-art wireless voice and data communications at sea. WMS is a joint venture of Cingular Wireless,LLC (CW) and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). WMS provides world class roaming products, service, and support focused solely on the cruise line industry. More information is available at www.cellularatsea.com.

About Maritime Telecommunications Network

Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN), the leader in maritime communications, provides broadband solutions for voice, data, Internet and compressed video services to the cruise and other offshore industries and to the U.S. Government using state-of-the-art VSAT technology. MTN's Digital Seas Internet product, the first Information Technology concession, provides turnkey Internet Cafés and Wi-Fi Hot Spots to the cruise and offshore industries. More information on MTN is available at www.mtnsat.com.

 

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