WiMAX Distribution Agreement Helps NRTC Members Meet Rural America's Broadband Needs
Rural Technology Pioneer NRTC Makes Major Investment to Bring 4G to Underserved Rural Communities
 April 28, 2009

[Herndon, VA]-The not-for-profit National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) today announced that its local members will soon have the opportunity to provide high-speed, fixed and mobile broadband Internet access to communities across the nation where homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, police and fire stations are least likely to be "wired."
 
" The Administration and Congress have made the expansion of broadband a national priority, and it's a goal that we embrace," said Bob Phillips, NRTC President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our nearly 1,500 members have a commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities they serve and have demonstrated the ability to deliver advanced technologies to their consumer members. It was an NRTC investment that delivered DIRECTV satellite television service to rural America in places where there was no cable or other alternative to ‘rabbit-ears' on top of the TV or an antennae on the roof. It was NRTC that provided the urgently-needed funding to get the WildBlue satellite Internet service off the ground."
 
" Now we will once again lead a technological revolution for underserved rural communities, this time by providing fixed and mobile broadband Internet access," Phillips said.  "Our electric and telco members have already been leading the way in rural America, expanding their DSL footprints, bringing fiber to the home and offering satellite Internet access.  But people forget that huge swaths of our country have no fiber optic, DSL or cable passing by their homes because of economics. It has been too expensive in areas with low population density to build the infrastructure required. NRTC and our rural electric and telco members have spent nearly 25 years making sure people in those communities are not left behind technologically. Today, we take another giant step."
 
Specifically, NRTC today completed a distribution agreement with DigitalBridge Communications Corp. (DBC), a private operator of WiMAX 4G broadband networks in underserved regions of the United States. The agreement gives NRTC members the opportunity to expand next-generation broadband service to underserved and unserved areas in rural America.  NRTC has also made a significant investment in DigitalBridge, the terms of which are not being disclosed.
 
" In areas where it is not economical to extend broadband networks, this agreement gives NRTC members a more cost-effective alternative for bringing high-speed Internet services to those who need it," said NRTC's Phillips.
 
NRTC announced its investment and distribution agreement just weeks after stating in comments filed before the Federal Communications Commission that NRTC is developing a plan to enable its members to offer "universal access to broadband service throughout rural America" by delivering a combination of WiMAX and satellite-delivered Internet access.  Through this plan, NRTC's members will have the capability to expand broadband offerings to residences, businesses, schools, public facilities, medical centers and, where applicable, tribal lands.
 
" Broadband is now a utility - like electricity and phone service. Expanding the availability of high-speed Internet access is key to closing the digital divide, creating jobs and spurring economic development in rural America," said Phillips.  "WiMAX can also provide a solution for electric cooperative members who are implementing smart grid technologies that rely on enhanced communications capabilities," he added.
 
 " WiMAX is rapidly being deployed around the globe.  It is a proven, scalable technology, that is ‘shovel-ready' and a natural fit for our members who have a proven track record of delivering new technologies, such as DIRECTV and WildBlue satellite Internet service," said Phillips.   According to the industry organization WiMAX Forum, global WiMAX deployments are approaching 460 networks in more than 135 countries with an expected reach of 800 million people by 2010.
 
An established international standard for wireless telecommunications, WiMAX uses licensed frequencies of radio spectrum to deliver high-bandwidth data services that can be self-installed by many end users. With WiMAX self-install services, DBC subscribers set up service themselves within minutes and use the portable service inside or outside their homes and offices.  Since its founding in 2005, DBC has launched service in 15 communities nationwide.
 
With the investment in DBC, NRTC acquires a seat on the company's board of directors.
 
About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of nearly 1,500 rural utilities and affiliates in 48 states.  Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via satellite, full-service Internet access and support, advanced metering infrastructure, SmartSCADA, wireless technologies, power quality products, long distance programs, mobile phone service, IP backbone services, direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV and programming for Internet protocol television (IPTV). For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop [1].
 
About DigitalBridge Communications
DigitalBridge Communications Corp. ("DBC") is a 4G wireless Internet provider using WiMAX to deliver broadband services to underserved communities nationwide. DBC was founded in 2005 by Kelley Dunne, Bill Wallace, and Joe Kochan.  Since launching its service during 2007, DBC has deployed WiMAX networks in 15 markets throughout the U.S.  With WiMAX, DBC subscribers are able to set up service on their own within a matter of minutes and use their portable service inside or outside their homes and offices.  For more information about DBC, please visit www.digitalbridgecommunications.com [2]. 

Contact:  Andrea Cumpston
703-787-7156