AIR2LAN Expands Into Northeast Louisiana

March 30, 2004 -- AIR2LAN, a Jackson, Mississippi-based provider of a range of broadband Internet services, has expanded into northeast Louisiana and has chosen Monroe and the Premier Plaza Office building as their home base and northern Louisiana launch base.

AIR2LAN’s broad array of services includes: high-speed wireless access, and hard-wired Internet access including T-1 and frame-relay solutions. In addition, AIR2LAN provides an array of value-added services including web hosting, wireless Internet mobility services, network design, point-to-point broadband connectivity, network security, and VPN Solutions.

Since the company’s launch in 2000, AIR2LAN has rapidly deployed its operations in five states with its broadband Internet services including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. In addition, the company has completed several successful rounds of funding, and established an impressive roster of strategic partners.

AIR2LAN’s entry into the Louisiana high-speed data market is a direct result of $1,000,000 investment from the ECD/HOPE (Enterprise Corporation of Delta/Hope Community Credit Union), Advantage Capital Partners, and the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation. The new funding will be used for continued expansion and development of AIR2LAN’s New Orleans market and to deploy its services to new markets in Monroe, West Monroe, Ruston, Bastrop, Winnsboro, and additional satellite markets in Louisiana.

Bill Bynum, president of Enterprise Corporation of the Delta noted, "Access to high-speed telecommunications is essential to successful economic development in the new economy. This is essentially why AIR2LAN and the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta are bringing these critical high-speed Internet services to local business and residents of Monroe, West Monroe, Winnsboro, Ruston, and Bastrop Louisiana. "

“ It’s very encouraging and exciting to have the Economic Corporation of the Delta and AIR2LAN make this commitment of money and resources into our market,” remarked Buddy Spillers, president of the Ouachita Economic Development Corporation. “The availability of high-speed Internet assess has become a critical factor in attracting business to our area.”

“ AIR2LAN’s mission is to be a premier, business-class broadband Internet access provider”, explained AIR2LAN Chairman and CEO Jai Bhagat The company provides value by offering multiple broadband technologies (variety) coupled with IT expertise. This unprecedented value proposition results in their ability to offer the most compelling, technologically sound, and cost-effective broadband Internet solutions to their business clients.

AIR2LAN’s management team has a unique mix of technical and implementation experience. Bhagat led the development and deployment of the first national two-way messaging network as co-founder and CEO of SkyTel Communications. AIR2LAN senior management has experience managing ISPs, web hosting, web development, systems engineering, and network consulting.

Don Lieber, a high-speed Internet industry veteran has been named Louisiana Market Manager and will oversee AIR2LAN’s Louisiana operations. AIR2LAN’s Monroe office is located at 1900 North 18th Street, Suite 450. "AIR2LAN's mission is to bring a new wave of wireless technology to Louisiana, enabling businesses and residents to access a broadband Internet connection at speeds just three years ago, we never would have thought were possible."

AIR2LAN focuses its primary marketing efforts in providing broadband services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company deploys its network in business-dense areas of each market, minimizing the high costs of providing service to an entire metropolitan area. Recently, AIR2LAN has complemented its strategy by commercializing a national Internet mobility service that allows new and existing customers to access a broadband connection in public areas.

For additional information contact:
Vinay Bhagat, (601) 713-1401, vinaybhagat@air2lan.com
Scott Slay, (601) 944-1100, sslay@ecd.org

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