Narad Networks, Inc., a provider of business broadband access solutions using MSOs' existing cable networks, today announced that CAIW (formerly CAI Westland), a cable operator in the Netherlands, has launched high-speed wireless service using Narad's cable transport technology to carry 100 Mbps Ethernet traffic over its cable network. Narad's systems integration partner in the Europe, Infraconcepts Netherlands N.V., delivered the turn-key solution to CAIW.

"We tested Narad's solution earlier this year and found that it worked perfectly" said Aart Verbree, CEO of CAIW. "With the Narad solution we can deliver fiber-like speeds over our coaxial cable at each point of our network. Narad's solution proved to be a construction-free technology that unlocked new value in our network."

The Narad solution will be deployed to carry bi-directional Ethernet traffic at speeds of 54 Mbps to serve 802.11g wireless access points located in public areas.

"This is the beginning of the 'FastCoax' concept in the Netherlands", said Erik van de Werken, CEO of Infraconcepts. "Many cable operators in the Benelux region have completed their hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) network upgrades, and they are now seeking additional economic value by growing their customer base. Narad's Ethernet overlay, with its operational simplicity, offers us a versatile toolset with which we can create a broad range of commercial solutions for cable operators."

Narad's business broadband technology leverages cable operators' existing hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks to deliver competitively priced data and voice services to commercial customers including small to medium sized businesses (SMBs), enterprise customers, WiFi network operators, schools, and municipalities, while minimizing capital expenditures and maximizing return on investment. Narad's solution addresses the large middle segment of the commercial market that cannot be adequately served by cable modems and cannot economically justify the high cost of constructing fiber.

"We are delighted that CAIW is deploying our technology in its networks," said Chuck Kaplan, chief operating officer of Narad Networks. "The market for high speed, Symmetric Broadband Ethernet services is starting to accelerate. WiFi data transport is a very timely addition to the small and medium business (SMB) applications that Narad is also deploying in the North American market."

About Narad Networks Narad Networks, Inc. provides cable operators with cost-effective solutions to create new, managed, symmetric capacity on existing cable networks. Narad enables the delivery of highly profitable broadband Ethernet services over cable infrastructure while minimizing capital expenditures and accelerating free cash flow. The company's solution leverages the previously unusable frequency spectrum between 900MHz and 1.1 GHz to overlay secure, switched Ethernet services onto existing HFC networks. The solution can be installed in phases, only adding equipment to those portions of the plant that lie directly between the node and the business customers to be served. Narad's solution enables cable operators to offer services such as Symmetric Broadband Ethernet up to 100 Mbps, virtual private networks, Voice-over IP, and true T1/E1 transport. Business customers include small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), mobile and WiFi operators, enterprise customers, schools and municipalities.

Founded in July 2000 and based in Westford, Massachusetts, Narad Networks is a privately held company with venture funding from Polaris Venture Partners, Argo Global Capital, and other leading venture capital firms. For more information, visit www.naradnetworks.com.