QMax Launches Singapore's First Commercial Wireless Broadband Service With Navini Networks

RICHARDSON, Texas and SINGAPORE, February 8 /PRNewswire/ --

QMax Communications Pte, Ltd., is launching Singapore's first commercial pre-mobile WiMAX service in the Bukit Timah area. This significant milestone event marks the beginning of the long awaited low cost, dedicated wireless broadband service served to all homes and businesses in Singapore.

QMax is a joint venture between QALA Singapore Pte Ltd, a leading-edge, next-generation carrier delivering business data, network management, security, application management and professional services to enterprises and global carriers, and Creative Technology Ltd, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for PC users.

The network is being launched in the 2.3ghz spectrum. QMax, which was awarded 6 lots of the wireless broadband access spectrum, is Singapore's largest wireless broadband access spectrum owner with resources to offer island wide services.

The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore had stipulated a 36 months deployment dateline for successful bidders of the wireless broadband spectrum auction held in May 2005. In a demonstration of its commitment to delivering affordable wireless broadband to the mass market, QMax has successfully achieved the deployment of its first base stations in less than 8 months.

The benefits of using pre-mobile WiMAX include very easy plug and play, portable operation and quick deployment in both indoor and outdoor areas and no phone line required. End users can also use wireless broadband as an extension of WIFI to their home or office environment.

"We are really thrilled to make Singapore Internet history today. It has always been an agenda for us, as an ISP, to offer dedicated wireless Internet access service where customers will be able to enjoy high quality and consistent performance at affordable prices," said Mr. Alex Tan, Director of QMax Communications.

"This is a milestone for Singapore and Navini is delighted to be providing the world's most popular portable broadband wireless network to the mass market here," said Roger Dorf, president and chief executive officer of Navini Networks. "QMAX joins Navini's customers in Europe and Asia Pacific that share the vision of delivering personal broadband with a seamless upgrade to mobile WiMAX 802.16e."

"Creative is very excited to be part of this new wireless platform as wireless broadband connectivity will be a key driver for the future growth of our portable digital entertainment devices like the award-winning Creative Zen Vision:M. WiMAX will enable users to stream or download high quality audio or video contents as and where they like. WiMAX could become an extremely exciting new beginning for many compelling digital entertainment products in the near future," said Mr. Sim Wong Hoo, Chairman and CEO of Creative Technology Ltd.

About QMax Communications Pte Ltd

QMax Communications Pte Ltd was awarded the largest range of wireless broadband access spectrum by IDA at an auction held in May 2005. With strong support from its major shareholders, Creative Technology Ltd, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products and portable media players and local Internet Service Provider QALA Singapore Pte Ltd, QMax Communications Pte Ltd is poised to be one of a new breed of broadband infrastructure and technology companies offering "Anytime, Anywhere" wireless broadband connectivity.

Website: http://www.qmaxcom.com

About QMax Singapore Pte Ltd

QMax Singapore Pte Ltd is the consumer arm of the QMax Group. With the wireless broadband infrastructure provided by its sister company QMax Communications Pte Ltd, the company's primary focus will be use of wireless broadband media to deliver digital video and audio content to portable media devises. This will enable masses to enjoy unprecedented freedom in the use of affordable Internet to access digital media for entertainment.

Website: http://www.qmax.com.sg

About QALA Singapore Pte Ltd

QALA is a leading edge, next-generation carrier delivering business data, network management, security, application management and professional services to enterprises and global carriers. Its suite of global end-to-end managed services and products caters to both enterprises and telecommunication carriers. Incorporated in 2000, QALA currently serves a substantial number of corporate and business entities providing data access and connectivity.

Website: http://www.qala.com.sg

About Creative Technology Ltd

Creative (Nasdaq: CREAF) is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for PC users. Famous for its Sound Blaster(R) sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed Zen(TM) and MuVo(R) MP3 players. Creative's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment -- anytime, anywhere.

http://www.creative.com

About Navini Networks

With the largest commercial deployment in the world, over 50 commercial networks in 6 continents and strategic partnerships with industry leaders, Navini Networks is the leader in providing portable, plug-n-play broadband wireless access solutions. Navini delivers on the vision of mobile WiMAX today with patented phased array smart beamforming technology delivering a price/performance combination that is superior to other broadband offerings in the marketplace. Navini's Ripwave(R) portable, zero-install(TM), non-line-of-sight (NLOS) product line consists of customer modems, base stations, and element management systems (EMS) run in the full range of spectrums. The Navini Ripwave-MX product line offers the industry's first dual-mode CPEs and PCMCIA cards.

Navini Networks is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum and the IEEE 802.16e committee and is headquartered in Richardson, Texas. http://www.navini.com

    
    Web site: http://www.qmaxcom.com
              http://www.qala.com.sg
              http://www.qmax.com.sg
              http://www.creative.com
              http://www.navini.com

SOURCE Navini Networks