012 Smile.Communications Reports that its Experimental License to Conduct Fixed & Mobile WiMAX Technology Trials Has Been Extended
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, April 16, 2008 – 012 Smile.Communications (NASDAQ Global market and TASE: SMLC), a growth-oriented provider of communication services in Israel, today announced that its experimental license to conduct WiMAX technology trials in Sderot and a high tech business center in the Tel Aviv area has been extended by the Ministry of Communications. With respect to the Sderot area – the license was extended until April 7, 2009 and with respect to the Tel Aviv area- the license was extended until September 18, 2009.
In March 2007, 012 Smile.Communications was awarded the first technology experimental license to conduct fixed WiMAX trials in several locations in Israel, including the largest high-tech business center in the Tel Aviv area. The license was later amended to also include mobile WiMAX trials in Sderot area.WiMAX technology has the capacity to support value-added applications, including live video broadcasting, high-speed data, high quality voice and multimedia content to a wide coverage area. 012 Smile.Communications expects that a WiMAX network will create new communication paths into homes or offices as well as provide a broadband connection any time and anywhere in our coverage area. This will also provide support for wireless transmissions for future mobility applications as well as devices offering VoIP in conjunction with WiFi technology, and providing last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and ADSL service.