Ronan Telephone Company Selects SOMA Networks to Provide Wireless Broadband Access in Montana

CHICAGO & SAN FRANCISCO -- Sep 30, 2008 -- SOMA Networks, Inc., a leading provider of Mobile WiMAX products and professional services, announced today that Ronan Telephone Company (RTC), which serves rural subscribers in North Western Montana, selected SOMA’s FlexMAX™ Wireless System to deliver broadband data and voice-over-IP (VoIP) services. RTC’s new broadband wireless network is comprised of the latest wireless technology and uses the superior propagation attributes of the 700 MHz licensed band to provide widespread, high-speed access to serve subscribers in previously underserved areas.

“We needed a solution that would enable us to deliver high-speed Internet access to rural businesses and homes across a wide area,” said Jay W. Preston, Chairman, RTC. “We found that SOMA’s 700 MHz FlexMAX Wireless System consistently delivered the highest service levels over a wireless interface. It is the perfect solution for RTC, enabling us to offer our customers reliable, ‘always on’ broadband data and VoIP services.”

“With leading-edge carriers such as RTC selecting SOMA’s proven 700 MHz broadband wireless solution, we continue to help bridge the digital divide in areas of the U.S. that have yet to gain access to broadband services,” said Tom Flak, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Company Operations at SOMA Networks. “Our complete voice and data portfolio is one of the few systems that has been certified by the USDA Rural Utilities Service, giving rural, independent service providers access to additional broadband infrastructure revenue streams.”

Rural carriers such at RTC face numerous challenges including remote subscribers, difficult geographic markets and limited staff to address their unique terrain. Historically, it has been challenging to extend broadband service to the many dispersed communities in Montana due to the high cost of installing copper or fiber across hundreds of miles. Wireless broadband technology eliminates these barriers and opens up service potential for thousands of subscribers. Although RTC’s service area contains varying types of terrains — from pastoral valleys to large mountain ranges — SOMA’s Non-Line-of-Sight wireless solution can be economically deployed and offers consistent, high quality service due to the combination of superior RF technology and 700 MHz spectrum.

The 700 MHz band is one of the most cost effective frequencies over which to provide wireless broadband service in rural areas due to its superior propagation attributes. SOMA Networks’ 700 MHz wireless solution features superior in-building signal quality and can travel up to four times farther than other licensed frequencies. This results in significantly less capital to build the same network as compared to WiFi or unlicensed frequencies.

With the 700 MHz FlexMAX System, RTC can quickly and efficiently extend services to its customers, regardless of their location within the company’s coverage area. RTC will provide broadband Internet access to customers that previously only had the option of dial-up connections, a welcomed service improvement for work-from-home professionals and home-study students that comprise a significant portion of the company’s customer base. Customers now have the option of Residential or Business High Speed Internet services, with up to 1.5Mb download, and up to 512kb upload at rates of $29.95 per month and $34.95 per month respectively. Additional services include web hosting, web page design, email accounts, spam filters, and computer security and cleanup. RTC plans to offer Voice Services to their Internet subscribers soon, which will take advantage of this additional capability of the SOMA platform.

About SOMA Networks

SOMA Networks helps service providers and their subscribers access the world with WiMAX. As a leading provider of Mobile WiMAX products and professional services, SOMA’s FlexMAX™ Mobile WiMAX System, SoftAir™ Multimedia Application System, and global professional services provide a complete platform that accelerates service providers’ time to market with revenue-generating applications that bring broadband to the home or business. SOMA is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum®, and its FlexMAX Mobile WiMAX System supports the 802.16e-2005 Mobile WiMAX standard. Deployed on five continents, SOMA is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Delhi, Sao Paulo and Singapore. For more information, visit www.somanetworks.com.