HONG KONG, 29 August 2005 "Comba Telecom Systems (HKSE: 2342), the leading provider of wireless solutions for the 2G and 3G mobile telecoms market, today announced the launch of its complete microwave solution, MASELink. The MASELink family of digital microwave products operates across all frequency bands and ranges from the traditional PDH-based microwave solution with capacities of up to 16 E-1 (32Mbps) to SDH microwave solution at a STM-1 (155Mbs) capacity. With the MASELink Super PDH solution, Comba offers true 100Mbps IP radio for wireless networks. Collectively, MASELink delivers the highest performance in the smallest dimensions currently available in the market.
"Digital microwave technology is ideal for wireless backhaul for cellular base stations, disaster recovery communications and secure private enterprise data networks,"said Tony T.L. Fok, chairman and managing director of Comba. "With the MASELink family of products, a cellular or data network footprint that is secure, reliable and cost effective can be installed and operational in a mere four hours. By developing a complete range of solutions at all frequencies, Comba is uniquely positioned to address the needs of both the enterprise and carrier markets. "

A key factor in shortening the set up time and enhancing the cost effectiveness of the MASELink solution resides in the sophisticated design of its outdoor unit (ODU) "the hardware that up-converts the intermediate frequency signal coming from the indoor unit (IDU) to microwave frequencies and down-converts received microwave signals to intermediate frequency signals. The MASELink ODU is (a) up to 75 percent smaller in size and weight compared to its competitors which translates to cost and time savings in transport, installation and maintenance; (b) highly integrated with built in components such as power amplifiers which translates to less cabling, greater reliability and is easier to manufacture and maintain; and (c) its unique plug and play design enables the ODU unit to be compatible with any IDU unit hence no tuning is required, saving considerable set-up time and costs.

In addition to delivering the highest performance in the smallest dimensions, the MASELink solution also has one of the lowest power consumption levels in the market (35 watts compared to 40 watts of its closest competitor) translating to lower power costs for its customers and transmission power of up to 27decibel miniwatts provides greater range and clarity in communications, the strongest amongst digital microwave products currently available in the market.

Comba's digital microwave technology was developed jointly by Comba's R&D team in Guangzhou and its majority-owned subsidiary, US-based WaveLab Holdings "specialists in outdoor digital microwave solutions. "Combining the technical expertise of the West and the cost effective production capability of the East means that Comba can achieve manufacturing cost savings of up to 30 percent while delivering our customers a complete and robust digital microwave solution,"adds Mr. Fok.

After successful trials in China and selected countries, the MASELink product suite is now commercially available globally with systems already installed in both telecom and enterprise wireless networks in China, India, Nigeria and trials already underway in Hong Kong. 

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