| Mon 23 Apr 2007, 9:41 | | ALT - Allied Technologies Limited - Press Release: |
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ALT - Allied Technologies Limited - Press Release: Altech And Citynet To
Provide Affordable Broadband Internet Access Services In Sub-Saharan Africa
Allied Technologies Limited
Member of the Altron Group
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
(Registration number: 1946/020415/07)
Share code: ALT
ISIN number: ZAE000015251
PRESS RELEASE: ALTECH AND CITYNET TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE BROADBAND INTERNET
ACCESS SERVICES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Altech announced today, the signing of a technology and distribution
agreement with USA -based CityNet Wireless Incorporated and its global
licensing partner CityNet Wireless International (Pty) Limited. The
principle of this agreement will enable Altech to enter the broadband
infrastructure and operator space in sub-Sahara Africa, using proven
leading edge technology currently in operation in more than 40 cities world
wide.
"Broadband network delivery systems are now at the centre of all global
digital communications" says Altech CEO Craig Venter. "Our choice of
CityNet Wireless as our technology partner in this deal reflects our
strategy to expand into broadband markets in Africa, where cost-efficient
use of advanced IP-based wireless networks is the key to meeting massive
pent up demand".
Venter, who has publicly indicated Altech`s aspirations in the broadband
operator space, continued, "After an exhaustive search, we selected the
solution developed by CityNet Wireless Incorporated, given their massively
successful metro broadband rollouts across the world. These are
underpinned by an elegantly designed, flexible and robust wireless
architecture, which can be adapted inexpensively and deployed to the many
African opportunities that now exist".
CityNet Wireless Incorporated, which has been deploying wireless WiFi mesh
networks globally since 2003 including densely populated cities such as
Houston, Panama City and Mexico City, has been particularly successful in
reducing the traditional cost of urban networking, using a combination of
standard WiFi protocols, mesh architecture for redundancy and network
flexibility, and extensive network management software tools which allow
for optimum throughput, minimum latency and maximum quality of service.
Altech, which operates at the intersection of telecommunications,
multimedia and technology, has been cautious in its approach to broadband
and has spent a number of years doing extensive market and technology
research into the broadband area, even as it aggressively expanded its
businesses in closely related areas like digital Tetra wireless networks at
Altech Alcom Matomo, digital TV at Altech UEC, its extensive wireless
network technology for vehicle tracking at Altech Netstar and network
service provision at Altech Autopage.
"We feel it is now strategically appropriate for Altech to embark in this
new direction. We are confident, not only in the CityNet Wireless
technology and experience, but that we have chosen the optimum moment to
exploit this opportunity in Africa", Venter concluded.
Ends
Altech is a broad-based global high technology listed company offering
products and services in the digital convergence space that lies at the
intersection of telecommunications, technology and multimedia.
____________________________________
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
STEVEN SIDLEY: CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
TEL: (011) 715 9000
FAX: (011) 715-9044
CELL: 082 600 6857
EMAIL: ssidley@altech.co.za
OR
PAULA EUGENIO: GROUP MANAGER: PR & MEDIA
TEL: (011) 715-9037
FAX: (011) 715-9044
CELL: 083 495 3806
EMAIL: peugenio@altech.co.za
Sponsor:Investec Bank Limited
Date: 23/04/2007 09:41:36 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
