Samsung, Omnivision
agree to deploy
WiBro in Venezuela

Wireless broadband access will be possible in Venezuela from 2nd Half of 2006
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., leading telecom systems and mobile phone provider, and Omnivision C.A. an innovative TV operator, have agreed to deploy Mobile WiMAX service in Venezuela. The agreement was signed in Caracas on December16, 2005, making Omnivision to be one of the early operators in Latin America to deploy personal broadband Mobile WiMAX. Omnivision has proven its innovativeness as the pioneer of Venezuela's pay-TV two decades ago, and will continue to display its leadership in high-technology services as a Mobile WiMAX service provider.
Mobile WiMAX systems offer wireless high speed data communication on the move complying with IEEE 802.16e standard. The technology allows transfer rate of maximum 3 Mbps per user while moving at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. Mobile WiMAX can be used both as a fixed or mobile technology. In addition, Mobile WiMAX systems lower data transmission costs for the Venezuelan users.
According to the agreement, the Mobile WiMAX deployment in Venezuela will begin during the third quarter of 2006, and offer services by the fourth quarter of 2006 in great Caracas. Deployments in the main 7 cities in the country will soon follow during an investment period of three years.
"The agreement with Samsung Electronics is extremely important since it brings the latest wireless telecommunication technology successfully proven in Korea to Venezuela. This new technology will provide our users with the latest cost-effective solution for personal wireless broadband."said Dick Abanto Ishiwata, CEO of Omnivision. "We are constantly improving our technology to maximize the use of our MMDS frequencies and to implement Omnivision" new strategy in the telecommunication industry. After careful studying a variety of pre-Mobile WiMAX and Non Line of Sight technologies for the past four years, we are firmly convinced that Samsung Electronics is the global leader that possesses the technology we have been searching for."Hong Soon-ho, executive vice president and general manager of Telecommunication Systems Division of Samsung Electronics, explained the significance of the partnership. "We are very pleased to introduce the leading-edge technology to Venezuelan people. The Mobile WiMAX service will help the people of Venezuela to enjoy high speed multimedia data communications and related services on the move across large geographical areas." "Samsung is an early adopter of Mobile WiMAX technology. The participants of APEC enjoyed WiBro services in Korea this year. WiBro, which is the commercial Korean brand name of Mobile WiMAX, will be launched from the second quarter of 2006. In the continuing effort to commercialize Mobile WiMAX technology worldwide, Samsung Electronics has already started trials for Japan's KDDI and signed an agreement to provide equipment to BT of UK, as well as Sprint Nextel of United States,"Hong added.
Omnivision, participated by Netfinanzas, an investment banking firm, is the pioneer in Pay-TV in Venezuela, started business in 1980 and is one of the oldest in wireless communication in the country. Until 1997 Omnivision was the biggest in its market with 200,000 subscribers and it will change its business model to offer content and internet access via personal broadband WiMAX. nw