KeyOn Communications Selects DragonWave for Backhaul Connectivity

CTIA - An innovative combination of DragonWave high capacity packet microwave backhaul and backbone networking solutions will enable KeyOn Communications Holdings, Inc. to bring unprecedented services to rural communities across Nevada. The Horizon Compact and Horizon Duo high-capacity packet microwave solutions from DragonWave Inc.(NASDAQ:DRWI) are being deployed to anchor the middle mile network elements for KeyOns stimulus-funded 4G wireless network service rollout to rural homes, businesses and critical community facilities just as healthcare providers.

KeyOn, one of the largest providers of wireless broadband, satellite video and voice-over-Internet-protocol services in the United States, in September 2010 received a $10.2 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award to provide 4G, last-mile wireless broadband access and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services in qualified rural communities throughout Nevada.

The project

As part of the project, KeyOn is deploying equipment from DragonWave, a leading global supplier of packet microwave radio systems for mobile and access networks. DragonWave Horizon Compact and Horizon Duo will form in broad outline 110 high-capacity links in a major ring architecture interconnecting communities across Nevada. Instead of deploying legacy leased-line connections from traditional wireline operators in each of the communities served, KeyOns resilient architecture and high-capacity statewide network will allow for cost-effective aggregation of Internet bandwidth at only a few select fiber points.

DragonWaves experience and reputation as a high-capacity packet microwave equipment vendor are highly regarded by us and an important factor in our decision to select DragonWave as an equipment vendor for this advanced all 4G wireless network, said Jonathan Snyder, Chief Executive Officer for KeyOn Communications. Our engineering team valued the fact that DragonWave offers a comprehensive, flexible family of solutions that enables us to deploy the optimal solution for every link allowing us to both remotely dial up and dynamically adjust our capacity levels as necessary. DragonWaves support throughout the project has been excellent, and we look forward to continuing to work with their talented engineering team throughout the network deployment.

KeyOn hopes to introduce services community by community across Nevada beginning early in the second half of 2011. When the network is complete, near 100,000 people, 5,500 businesses and 850 critical community facilities across the state will be able to access then and there-generation, 4G broadband services.

By offering innovative new services similar to those available in urban markets, KeyOns network will stimulate economic development and job creation as then as transform the quality of life for Nevadas rural population, said Peter Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer of DragonWave. Offering industry-leading capacity and spectral efficiency, the DragonWave solutions are designed for the requirements of tomorrows networks. To boot, our products deliver key features, including pay-as-you-grow scalability, rapid deployment that make our high-capacity packet microwave solutions especially so then-suited for deployment in rural, low-density regions just as KeyOns Nevada network.