Airspan Selected for WiMAX Network in Okinawa, Japan

BOCA RATON, FL--(Marketwire - December 30, 2008) - Airspan Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband wireless access networks, announced today that Okinawa Telemessage Co. Ltd., a leading broadband access service provider in Okinawa, Japan, launched a WiMAX Network using Airspan solutions with plans to address the fast-growing demand for high-quality broadband services.

Beginning with Nanjo City, Okinawa Telemessage will provide more than 500,000 households in Okinawa Prefecture with high-speed broadband access. Operating in the 4.95 GHz frequency band, the WiMAX network deployment is well underway and, upon completion, will consist of more than two hundred Airspan base stations spread over Okinawa Island. The Airspan WiMAX system was selected by Okinawa Telemessage for its flexibility, frequency band availability and the inherent cost-savings offered by wireless-based broadband infrastructure.

The network was launched in an official inauguration ceremony on December 25th in the city hall of Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan. Attending the ceremony were the mayor of Nanjo City, many government officials and executives from both Okinawa Telemessage and Airspan Networks.

This project benefitted from Japan's government broadband policy. The government's 'u-Japan' broadband strategy provides for money or tax incentives to cities to deploy broadband with the hopes of completing full broadband coverage to the entire nation by 2010. Nanjo City provided Okinawa Telemessage with roof-top property for placement of base stations, as well as city-owned fiber optic backhauling.

"A robust and reliable infrastructure solution is needed in an island-wide deployment such as this. Airspan solutions have exceeded our expectations and will help us meet our goals in expanding broadband services to the entire Okinawa Prefecture," stated Fumikatu Miyagi, President and CEO of Okinawa Telemessage Co.

"As we expand our presence in Asia Pacific, we welcome this opportunity in Okinawa," said Henrik Smith-Petersen, Airspan's President of Asia Pacific. "Our WiMAX solutions provide top-quality data services and we are happy to play a part in bringing broadband to the residents of the island."

About Okinawa Telemessage, Co. Ltd

Located in Okinawa, Japan, Okinawa Telemessage Co. was established in 1986 as a paging service provider. Since its inception, the Company has expanded its portfolio and is now operating as an Internet Service Provider, targeting the overall Okinawa Prefecture with ADSL and advanced Internet access services.

About Airspan Networks Inc.

Airspan is a leading WiMAX pure player and the solution-provider of choice for some of the world's largest WiMAX deployments. Developing leading-edge technology for broadband access and IP-telephony, Airspan continues to supply operators around the world with best-of-breed solutions. With direct sales offices throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas, a worldwide network of resellers and agents, and partnership alliances with major OEMs, Airspan boasts over 100 commercial WiMAX deployments worldwide. www.airspan.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "will," "would" and similar expressions or negative variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Investors and others are therefore cautioned that a variety of factors, including certain risks, may affect our business and cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and in the Company's 2008 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You should read those factors as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact Information: For Investor Relations, contact: Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane Investor Relations Tel. +561 395 4581 Email: clottomane@airspan.com For Media Inquiries, contact: Dori Erann Director Marketing Communications Airspan Networks Inc. Tel. +561.893.8687 Email: derann@airspan.com