Ceragon Helps Ergon Energy Build Wireless Infrastructure to Support Power Line Applications in Queensland, Australia

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May 17, 2010, 04:59 ET

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: CRNT), the provider of high-capacity, 4G/LTE-Ready wireless backhaul networks, today announced that Ergon Energy Corporation Limited, an electricity distribution company in Queensland, Australia, is deploying Ceragon's advanced FibeAir(R) solutions in a high-capacity microwave/fiber hybrid network spanning large parts of Queensland.

Ergon Energy provides high-voltage powerline infrastructure to distribute electricity to regional centers throughout Queensland. Equipment orders for the first two phases of the project are valued at more than $1 million in revenue.

Ergon Energy's new telecommunications network is based on a hybrid fiber/microwave architecture and supports a mix of SDH and IP data traffic. Ceragon's leading edge FibeAir platforms, including FibeAir 3200T all-indoor solution, the FibeAir 1500R and FibeAir IP-10, will help Ergon Energy enhance the capacity and functionality of the wireless portion of its network. Ceragon solutions will enable applications such as network protection switching, metering and intelligent monitoring, storage and disaster recovery and high-speed communication across multiple sites.

ATI Australia, one of Ceragon's leading distributors in Australia, performed the design and microwave equipment supply for this project.

"Putting in place a high-performance communication infrastructure is an essential ingredient in our maintenance of a world-class power distribution network," said Ergon Energy's Group Manager Telecommunications Andrew Deme.

Ergon Energy owns and manages the electricity distribution network in Queensland's regional areas. The company's powerlines stretch 150,000km, supplying electricity to more than 650,000 residential, industrial and commercial customers. Ergon Energy also owns and operates 34 stand-alone power stations that provide supply to isolated communities across Queensland not connected to the main electricity grid.

"We are very happy to be selected by a forward thinking company such as Ergon Energy," said Ira Palti, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ceragon. "Utility companies all over the world are moving towards smart grid technology, which also requires an intelligent backhaul infrastructure. Wireless solutions, such as our high-capacity platforms, can be deployed more quickly and cost effectively than wireline alternatives. Once the network is in place, it can also be used to transport so-called traditional services such as high-speed internet, video, voice and more."

Ceragon's FibeAir solutions family allows for a wide range of implementations and service support.

    - FibeAir IP-10 combines IP and TDM networking and feature an integrated
      Ethernet switch, optional stackable radios with TDM cross-connect for
      nodal site applications, and advanced service management and Operation
      Administration & Maintenance (OAM) tools. Coupled with Ceragon's
      powerful radios for high reliability and unmatched system gain, the
      solution can be deployed in all-indoor, all-outdoor and split-mount
      configurations.

    - FibeAir 3200T is a multi-radio All-Indoor solution featuring N+1
      switching protection, embedded space diversity, and ultra high
      transmission power.

    - FibeAir 1500R is ideal for a broad range of network applications with
      an upgradeable capacity range of 45 to 622 Mbps.

About Ergon Energy

Ergon Energy, is a Queensland Government Owned Corporation, committed to delivering sustainable, quality energy solutions. With a total asset base of $8 billion, and more than 4500 employees, Ergon Energy Corporation Limited is a major Queensland company. It services more than 650,000 customers across regional Queensland, from the rapidly burgeoning coastal and rural population centres to the remote communities of outback Queensland and the Torres Strait. Its franchise service area extends across 97% of Queensland - around 1.7 million square kilometres. Ergon Energy's electricity network consists of around 150,000 kilometres of powerlines and one million power poles, along with associated infrastructure, such as major substations and power transformers. It owns and operates 34 stand-alone power stations that provide supply to isolated communities across Queensland. Ergon Energy is one of Australia's largest purchasers of renewable energy and is actively involved in alternative energy generation solutions. More information is available at: http://www.ergon.com.au/

About ATI Australia

ATI Australia is the region's leader in design, supply, installation and maintenance of microwave radio systems. ATI's products and services are utilized across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, covering metro, regional and remote areas. More information is available at: http://www.atiaust.com.au/

About Ceragon Networks Ltd.

Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: CRNT) provides high capacity, LTE/4G-ready wireless backhaul networks that enable mobile and traditional telecom service providers as well as private network operators to deliver voice and premium data services, including Internet browsing, music and video applications. Designed to enable risk-free migration from TDM to IP, Ceragon's microwave solutions provide fiber-like connectivity and support all wireless access technologies, including GSM, CDMA, EV-DO, HSPA, LTE and WiMAX. These solutions allow wireless service providers to cost effectively build-out and scale their infrastructure to meet the increasing demands for premium data services. Ceragon also provides its solutions to businesses and public institutions that operate their own private communications networks. Ceragon's solutions are deployed by more than 150 service providers of all sizes, as well as in hundreds of private networks, in nearly 100 countries. More information is available at www.ceragon.com

Ceragon Networks(R), CeraView(R), FibeAir(R), the FibeAir(R) design mark and Native2(R) are registered trademarks., and Ceragon(TM), PolyView(TM), ConfigAir(TM), CeraMon(TM), EtherAir(TM), QuickAir(TM), QuickAir Partner Program(TM), QuickAir Partner Certification Program(TM), QuickAir Partner Zone(TM), EncryptAir(TM) and Microwave Fiber(TM) are trademarks of Ceragon Networks Ltd.

This press release may contain statements concerning Ceragon's future prospects that are "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that future results will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from forecasts and estimates. These are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forecasts and estimates. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in Ceragon's Annual Report on Form 20-F and Ceragon's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Ceragon undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made.

    Company and Investor Contact:     Media Contact:
    Yoel Knoll                        Karen Quatromoni
    Ceragon Networks Ltd.             Rainier Communications
    +972-3-766-6419                   Tel. +1-508-475-0025 x150
    [email protected]                 [email protected]

SOURCE Ceragon Networks Ltd