Rogers Wireless & Azaire Networks Bring Wi-Fi HOTSPOT's Acro

[Barry]

Rogers Wireless announced it has selected Azaire Networks as its core system provider for Wi-Fi services at HOTSPOT locations operated by Rogers Wireless across the Canada.

Azaire's platform provides Rogers Wireless customers with secure authentication and authorization of Wi-Fi services at all Rogers Wireless HOTSPOT locations across Canada and the ability to pay for those services
either by credit card or on their Rogers Wireless account. Rogers Wireless
selected Azaire following a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in December
2003, citing Azaire's ability to leverage Rogers Wireless' core network
investments, subscriber management, customer care systems and both prepaid and postpaid billing systems.

Azaire's unique advantages for Rogers Wireless customers includes secure authentication, integrated billing, unified user interface and fast, non-intrusive deployment into our existing network. Azaire has implemented its Converged Network Platform with multiple carriers worldwide, most recently with Mobilkom Austria, one of Austria's leading mobile carriers, and GoMobile, one of Malta's fastest-growing mobile operators. The Platform is currently in trial with several other carriers in Europe and Asia.

"The trend of mobile operators embracing unlicensed spectrum technologies, such as Wi-Fi, to enhance and protect their investments in GPRS, EDGE and 3G continues to gain momentum," said Peter Kingsland, wireless analyst with BWCS, a leading telecommunications and IT consulting group based in the U.K. "However, these new technologies must fit seamlessly alongside their existing wireless data offerings. This means they must offer a familiar standardized experience for subscribers at the front end, while integrating easily into the carrier's OSS at the back end. Companies such as Azaire Networks are helping them achieve this. Truly integrated cellular and Wi-Fi services mean that the changing needs of consumers in terms of bandwidth and mobility can be met by a single service provider."

Rogers Wireless, along with other national Canadian wireless carriers Bell Mobility, TELUS Mobility, and Microcell Solutions, signed an inter-carrier agreement in March 2004 that establishes common standards for roaming and interoperability of the public Wi-Fi HOTSPOT locations they each operate. Once fully operational, customers of each of the carriers who visit any of the HOTSPOT locations across the country will find an identical browser-based login area and will be able to access Wi-Fi services and have the charges applied directly to their existing wireless carrier's account.

Azaire's platform required minimal modifications to meet the secure authentication and wholesale settlement requirements adopted by the Canadian wireless carriers.

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