FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sentech to Deploy IPWireless-Based Axity3G Broadband Throughout South Africa

Wireless Service Will Reach More Than 20 Million Consumers

LAWRENCE, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A. December 9, 2003 – Axcera, a leading supplier of high-quality equipment and systems for the broadband wireless access and television broadcast industries, today announced it will supply Sentech, a leading South African telecommunications and broadcast services company, with IPWireless™-based non-line-of-site broadband wireless access systems through its business partner FastComm. Upon being awarded a license to launch a broadband wireless multimedia service in all of South Africa, Sentech chose Axcera’s IPWireless-based Axity3G Broadband to offer high speed Internet access throughout the country in the 2.5GHz to 2.7GHz frequency band. This technology will allow Sentech to offer service at speeds comparable to or exceeding those of DSL and cable modems.

With Axity3G, coverage is achieved through an air interface, significantly minimizing deployment time and installation cost when compared to copper or fiber based systems. The plug-and-play capability of the pocket-sized modem allows simple user installation, minimizing or eliminating the need for costly and time consuming truck rolls. Together these features will allow Sentech’s initial deployments, offering service to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand, Cape Town and Durban, and covering a population of a few million, to be completed before the end of March 2004. Phase two will deploy services in non-metropolitan areas and is expected to start in April 2004.

During its evaluation process, Sentech received and evaluated proposals from more than 120 national and international companies. The company’s final decision to choose IPWireless Broadband was rooted in the standards-based TD-CDMA structure of the IPWireless platform. This standards-based approach helped Sentech to feel comfortable with ongoing support and development when compared to offerings that are based on proprietary technology.

“Internet access in Africa is regarded as among the most expensive in the world. Due to bandwidth restrictions, the reality of Internet connectivity in South Africa has long been characterized by low-speed, unreliable connections at an exorbitant and fluctuating price. Now, technological advances, such as those provided by IPWireless, and a new regulatory framework have enabled Sentech to launch the first true broadband wireless service offering, capable of delivering unrestricted, high-speed, portable, always-on Internet access at an affordable monthly cost,” said Dr. Sebilesto Mokone-Matabane, chief executive officer of Sentech.

“Sentech is committed to providing high-speed Internet access throughout South Africa,” said David Neff, president and chief executive officer of Axcera. “Axity3G will enable this goal with the speed-to-market of a wireless solution, yet with performance, features and the standards-based technology that makes for a sound investment. We look forward to a long-term relationship with Sentech and value the opportunity to be a part of such an important project.”

Axity3G Broadband has already received full type approval for the South African market by the South African Regulator, ICASA.

About Axcera
Axcera (www.axcera.com) is a premier provider of RF transmission equipment and systems for the television broadcast and broadband wireless/MMDS industries. Carrying on the tradition of offering the best RF products for more than 20 years, the company has earned its reputation as a high-quality manufacturer focused on meeting customers’ needs. Today Axcera provides the most complete line of television transmitter systems available from any manufacturer, as well as end-to-end broadband wireless/MMDS solutions, including complete network planning, design and integration services.

About Sentech
Sentech has been at the leading edge of communication technology, pioneering the provisioning of broadcast signal distribution services. Sentech, a commercially operated, state-owned enterprise, is the largest signal distributor for broadcasting in Africa, transmitting programs for customers such as the SABC, M-Net, CNN, e-tv and the BBC to audiences across the continent. Sentech is also a force in the telecommunications and multimedia industries, offering a range of high-end services such as International Telephony, Business Communications solutions, Data and Multicasting to organizations in Africa and to Telecommunications Operators globally. Sentech deploys the latest satellite and terrestrial based technology using IP based protocols for the services offered. For more information, visit Sentech’s web page at www.sentech.co.za.

About FastComm
Fastcomm (www.fastcomm.co.za) is a provider of broadband wireless equipment to the African market. The company founders bring with them over 50 years of combined experience in the telecommunication industry. With the upcoming deployments of wireless broadband access, FastComm is poised to bring information access and high-speed data services to under-served areas throughout Africa.

About IPWireless
IPWireless (www.ipwireless.com) offers an advanced standards-based broadband wireless technology that will drastically improve the way people around the world connect and communicate at home, at the office, or on the road. With a full range of commercial network solutions and devices, IPWireless allows operators to offer a spectrum of fixed, portable, or completely mobile wireless services with unmatched economics and broadband performance. IPWireless has quickly established itself as a leader in the market, with commercial deployments in service for more than a year, trials with ten of the top twenty global wireless operators, and strategic partnerships and relationships with industry leading companies.

Contact

Axcera
Rich Schwartz, Director, Marketing and Product Mgt.
+1-724-873-8100 ext. 263
rschwartz@axcera.com

FastComm
Goltz Wessmann, Director
+27-12-346-6077
gw@fastcomm.co.za

Sentech Ltd
Marcel Raath, Group Executive: Marketing and Sales
+27 11-691 7000
raathm@sentech.co.za