Aliant High-Speed Wireless launches in Halifax - the first service of its kind in Atlantic Canada

Aliant invests $20 million in EV-DO network to deliver fastest wireless service in the region

Feb. 23 

Aliant,launched Aliant High-Speed Wireless service in Halifax. The new service will provide Aliant customers access to unprecedented wireless data speeds - up to 2.4 Mbps - and new and enhanced applications on their wireless devices.

Aliant High-Speed Wireless will change the way Atlantic Canadians communicate. Customers in the Halifax area will be the first to experience unprecedented wireless data speeds - five times faster than what is currently available. Customers will be able to access information on their wireless device - notebook computer, PDA, or cell phone - at speeds close to those of their home broadband connection. Faster speeds will allow business and residential customers to experience new and enhanced applications on wireless devices such as streaming video and TV clips; video messaging; web browsing; interactive gaming and remote access to office email and data. Other Aliant High-Speed Wireless applications, such as Live TV, will be available later this year.

"Aliant High-Speed Wireless will provide the foundation for enhancing the customer experience - providing faster speeds and more choice of wireless applications than ever before," says Paul Pothier, Director, Wireless Business Marketing, Aliant. "The network technology is part of our commitment to providing customers with the most advanced wireless technology available."

Aliant is investing $20 million in Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) digital wireless network technology - provided by Nortel(*) - which will enable customers to access the fastest and most advanced wireless network available in Atlantic Canada. The service will be available in other urban centres throughout the region later this year, and by the end of 2007, will be available to approximately 60 per cent of customers in Atlantic Canada.

Aliant conducted a High-Speed Wireless (EV-DO) technology trial over the past few months. The trial provided an opportunity for Aliant to gain valuable information towards enhancing their customers' experience.

"I'm really impressed with the fast speeds and the instant access to my work email and company files," says Rick Varner, President, Offshore-Telecom, and Aliant High-Speed Wireless trial participant. "The service definitely exceeded my expectations and allowed me to do much more in my day."

Aliant High-Speed Wireless will be available using three new wireless devices including a PC card, a PDA and cell phone:

- Kyocera Passport - an EV-DO personal computer (PC) card which provides customers with high speed wireless connectivity for their notebook computer; providing up to 2.4 Mbps and enabling fast file downloads, streaming video and web browsing. (available today)

- Blackberry 7130e - Offers complete Blackberry functionality including phone, wireless push email, Internet, text messaging,
organizer and data applications using Aliant's High-Speed Wireless service. The Blackberry 7130e also allows customers to connect
notebook computers to the Internet by using the device as a tethered modem. (available in March)

- Samsung a920 - The Samsung a920 has a built-in MP3 player and stereo speakers with external MP3 player keys on its cover. It enables full track music downloads using an embedded application from Aliant as well as video streaming capabilities. (available in April)

Aliant continues to invest in its digital wireless network and, with the addition of EV-DO network technology, is continuing the tradition of providing customers with the most extensive, reliable digital network in Atlantic Canada. To date, Aliant has invested approximately $348 million to expand and enhance their digital wireless network, and related services, and today provides approximately 91 per cent of the population of Atlantic Canada with wireless coverage.

Nortel is providing equipment and services including EV-DO radio base stations, base station controllers and a variety of professional services to Aliant. The technology will be incorporated seamlessly onto Aliant's existing digital wireless data network.

"Aliant's EV-DO upgrade will effectively transform its wireless network to deliver true mobile broadband services to Atlantic Canadians," said Ken McIver, Major Account Vice President, Nortel. "As a supplier to more than half of the world's commercially-launched EV-DO networks, Nortel has seen the potential this technology has for improving and changing the way people communicate."