America Connect and NextNet Announce Successful Launch of Non-Line-of-Sight Broadband Wireless Trial at 2.3 GHz

MINNEAPOLIS & RALEIGH, N.C.--Jan. 21, 2004--

America Connect to Elaborate on NLOS Experience at WCA '04 Tech Symposium Jan. 21, 2004-23

NextNet Wireless, the industry's most widely deployed provider of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) broadband wireless access systems, and America Connect, an N.C.-based company focused on delivering high-speed wide-area wireless Internet connectivity to un-served and underserved communities in the Southeastern U.S.A., announced today the successful deployment of their first NLOS market in Granville County, North Carolina. America Connect CEO Joseph Forbes will speak at the Wireless Communications Association's (WCA) 10th Annual Technical Symposium and Business Expo (www.wcai.com) on the economics and trial results to date.

The NLOS trial, conducted over 2.3 GHz (WCS) licensed frequencies, commenced on December 15, 2003. America Connect and NextNet are focusing their early efforts on validating the business case and new 2.3 GHz equipment for delivering high-speed wireless services over WCS frequencies in un-served and underserved Southeastern U.S. markets. System success criteria includes customer acceptance, system performance, and the overall economics of delivering service in an extremely challenging topographical environment.

"We are delighted with the results to date," Forbes stated. "Everything seems to be working well. We are particularly impressed with the ease and cost of installing the NextNet equipment. The ease of installation will be critical in deploying commercial service," Forbes added.

"The City of Oxford, North Carolina is extremely pleased and excited that America Connect has selected Oxford for its market trial," stated Al Woodlief, City Mayor. "America Connect is providing Oxford with fast, reliable broadband wireless services that are simply outstanding! We look forward to the continuation of the trial, and the potential for delivery of NLOS services on a permanent basis in the future," Woodlief added.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with America Connect in this important 2.3 GHz market trial," stated Guy Kelnhofer, NextNet President and CEO. "It is a delight to work with such a dedicated team of telecommunications professionals, toward the goal of creating new opportunities for business and residential populations in the Southeast," Kelnhofer added. Funding for the trial is provided in part by the e-NC Authority (previous to 2004, the Rural Internet Access Authority of North Carolina).

NextNet's Expedience(TM) NLOS broadband wireless system is an IP-based network that supports delivery of all IP compatible broadband applications. These applications include the delivery of both voice and data services such as IP telephony and video streaming and conferencing. Expedience OFDM system products are available to address the needs of residential, SOHO, SME and MDU markets. The Expedience system is currently deployed in cities throughout Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The flexible OFDM-based platform delivers consistent broadband speeds across NLOS cell radiuses of up to 30 km, using indoor, plug-and-play (self-installable) subscriber units, as well as convenient outdoor (bracket-mount) NLOS subscriber units. The Expedience base station weighs just 16 kg and mounts easily to a pole, tower, building rooftop or standard indoor rack.

About the e-NC Authority (previous to 2004, the Rural Internet Access Authority of North Carolina)

The e-NC Authority is leading the e-NC Initiative, a grassroots effort to connect all North Carolinians to the Internet and a better future. The Authority was created in August 2000, by the N.C. General Assembly. e-NC has supported nearly all projects to date through $30 million in private funding committed by MCNC (formerly the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina), a self-supporting nonprofit organization since 1998, and through cash or in-kind contributions from more than 80 other organizations across the state and nation. e-NC and the authority are housed within the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. For more information, visit www.e-nc.org, call 1-866-NCRURAL, or e-mail: info@e-nc.org.

About America Connect

Founded in 1999, America Connect is a privately held corporation located in Raleigh, N.C. It's America Connect's mission to bring cost-effective wireless broadband service to ex-urban communities primarily in the Southeastern United States. For more information, visit www.aconnect.net.

About NextNet(R) Wireless

NextNet Wireless is the industry's most widely deployed provider of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) plug-and-play broadband wireless access systems. NextNet's OFDM-based Expedience(TM) system provides telecommunications carriers with turnkey solutions for rapid, low-cost deployment of high-speed, two-way voice and data services over the "last mile" of the communications network. The Expedience system is deployed in over 20 markets globally, including the world's largest NLOS plug-and-play deployment in Mexico, covering 70 million potential business and residential subscribers nationwide.

NextNet is the recipient of seven industry technical awards for delivering NLOS service to under-served urban, suburban and rural markets. NextNet's primary investors include Craig O. McCaw, DCM-Doll Capital Management, Enterasys (formerly Cabletron Systems), Globespan Capital Partners, Star Ventures and others. For more information visit www.nextnetwireless.com

Contacts:
America Connect
David Walsh
EVP Business Development
919-459-2383
dwalsh@aconnect.net

NextNet(R)
Barbara Heine
Director, Marketing Communications
(952) 967-1116
heineb@nextnetwireless.com