3 Rivers Communications Deploys SOMA Networks' Broadband Wireless Access Solution to Deliver Wireless Data And Voice

3 Rivers Communications Deploys SOMA Networks' Broadband Wireless Access Solution to Deliver Wireless Data And Voice

3 Rivers Launches Montana's First Fully Converged Wireless Broadband Network

FAIRFIELD, Mont. and SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- 3 Rivers Communications, a rural Montana telephone cooperative, today announced that it has launched the state's first fully converged wireless broadband access network powered by SOMA Networks, a leading provider of next-generation broadband wireless access technology. 3 Rivers is rolling out affordable wireless high-speed Internet access and landline quality voice service to residential and small business subscribers in Great Falls, Montana. The company is offering three levels of broadband service and up to two separate phone lines, combined with features like voice mail and caller ID, starting at $49.95 per month. 3 Rivers is utilizing the SOMA(TM) solution to supplement its competitive offerings in rural and urban markets in Montana, by extending its reach beyond that allowed by currently deployed technology.

By utilizing the SOMA solution, 3 Rivers will satisfy the large unmet demand for affordable broadband and voice service in hard to reach locations. 3 Rivers is a full choice telecommunications provider, offering local telephone service, long distance, local dial-up Internet, DSL broadband Internet, wireless PCS telephone service, satellite TV, satellite broadband Internet, and satellite telephone service. "The addition of the SOMA technology allows us one more vehicle to serve customers with broadband and voice, using whatever technology best fits the situation and location," said 3 Rivers Wireless Operations Manager Ernie Peterson.

"3 Rivers considered many different wireless broadband options, and the SOMA solution was the only system that allowed us to deploy service quickly with a rapid return on investment," said Steve Krogue, telephone Operations Manager of 3 Rivers. "We needed a system that delivers multi-megabit data and voice services, that is easy to install by the end-user and does not require extensive provisioning, and provides service across any particular market with a minimum number of cell sites. In each case, the SOMA solution exceeded our expectations. The demand for broadband service in rural locations is huge. Through our relationship with SOMA Networks, we will be able to successfully and effectively serve this growing market."

Empowered by the sophisticated SOMA solution and the new SOMAport 300 wireless broadband gateway, 3 Rivers will deliver three service levels, priced according to speed and applications desired, to meet the diverse needs of the Great Falls customers. These include: MainStream (approximately 340k) at $49.95 per month, MidStream (approximately 740k) at $69.95 per month, and JetStream (approximately 1 megabit) at $89.95 per month. All three service- levels include one voice line and popular features like voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding, and more. A second voice line can be added to any service level for an additional $10 per month.

The 3 Rivers deployment will use the PCS (1.9 GHz) spectrum band, a highly effective band for high-performance, non-line-of-sight wireless broadband systems like the SOMA solution. With SOMA's unique fully converged wireless broadband technology, 3 Rivers will be the first independent local exchange carrier in Montana to deploy a wireless "state-of-the-art" telecommunications network to its residents, providing global opportunities for expansion of business services.

"Through the work of 3 Rivers, Montana residents will have access to affordable, high-speed Internet and voice services," said Greg Caltabiano, Chief Operating Officer of SOMA Networks. "With the SOMA solution, 3 Rivers is able to reach remote locations and offer its customers multi-megabit data speeds quickly and cost-effectively. We are pleased to work with 3 Rivers to provide state-of-the-art broadband service to the people of Montana."

About 3 Rivers Communications

3 Rivers Communications, with corporate headquarters in Fairfield, MT, is a fifty year-old telecommunications company originally founded as a rural telephone cooperative. Still a cooperative at its core, 3 Rivers has grown and diversified over the years and now offers long distance, local dial-up Internet, DSL broadband Internet, wireless PCS telephone service, satellite TV, satellite broadband Internet, satellite telephone service, and competitive local telephone service in addition to traditional local telephone service.

About SOMA Networks

Integrating the latest advances in wireless broadband, distributed computing, and Internet technologies, SOMA Networks offers the industry's leading "last-mile" wireless broadband system. With the SOMA(TM) solution, service providers can quickly and profitably roll out a feature-rich package of broadband Internet access and voice service to the residential and small- office market. Key advantages of the SOMA solution include its large cell size for quick and inexpensive market entry, multi-megabit data rates, voice capabilities, non-line-of-sight access enabling self-installation of the SOMAport(TM) subscriber terminals, and simple subscriber self-activation of services via the Internet or telephone. For more information, visit our website at http://www.somanetworks.com/.


Source: SOMA Networks, Inc.

CONTACT: Dennis Torgerson of 3 Rivers Communications, +1-406-467-4107 or
dennist@3rivers.net; or Adrienne Low of SOMA Networks, Inc., +1-415-882-6524
or alow@somanetworks.com

Web site: http://www.somanetworks.com/


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