Clever Says Rudd Comments Not Clever

Written by PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, 20 June 2007

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA - Tuesday June 19, 2007 - Clever Communications Australia (ASX: APV), Australia's largest wireless business telecommunications company, today responds to misleading comments from Kevin Rudd on wireless technology reported in media this morning. Telecommunications industry veteran Keith Ondarchie, Chairman and CEO of Clever Communications Australia, said: "Kevin Rudd has publicly made a number of statements on wireless technology that have been reported in the media this morning including comments that wireless technologies are "second-rate" and have a maximum distance of 20km. Both of these statements are untrue." "It is a shame to see a political leader making such uneducated and misleading comments regarding wireless technology," said Ondarchie. "By dismissing wireless technology he is robbing Australians in rural and regional areas of a genuine alternative technology with the potential to deliver rapid access to high-speed broadband services. "Comments like this stifle competition in the Australian telecommunications industry - hurting companies trying to bring alternatives to the market while protecting Tier One incumbents that have a vested interest in protecting fixed-line revenues." Ondarchie continued: "Wireless technology is a proven technology that can be deployed more rapidly than fibre and offers a number of advantages over fibre which mean that it has the potential to bring rural and regional Australia out of the technological dark ages more quickly and cost-effectively. We offer performance-guaranteed wireless broadband services every day to thousands of business customers as well as a number of Australia's Tier One telcos." Ondarchie listed a number of further points he wished to clarity about wireless technology: Wireless Broadband is a proven technology that thousands of businesses rely on daily for mission critical data and voice (VoIP) services. Wireless Broadband can be rapidly deployed, and provides increased competitive opportunities for rural businesses. Wireless Broadband will allow rural Australia to take increasing advantage of VoIP, reducing STD telephony costs, etc. Wireless technologies today are able to provide reliable and robust connections in excess of 20Km. We have proven this and this is far in excess of what fixed line technologies can do without repeaters. Wireless Broadband is tolerant to environmental factors that are common causes of service disruptions for terrestrial fibre installations in rural and regional areas, such as flooding, fire, etc. that. Wireless Broadband is environmentally conscious, and does not rely in majority to disturbing terrestrial conditions, erosion, etc. About Clever Communications Australia Clever Communications Australia, formerly Access Providers, is Australia's largest wireless business telecommunications company. Australian owned and listed (ASX:APV), it simplifies complex IT&T technologies to provide telecommunications, technology and media solutions to its business customers. Clever Communications is a fully-licensed telecommunications carrier: it owns and operates the largest wireless business network in Australia. It provides a ‘one-stop shop' for its customers' IT&T business needs including voice, data, internet, mobile, VoIP, co-location, hosting, applications, systems integration, and managed security. Clever Communications also provides wholesale wireless services to Australia's tier one telcos including Optus and Nextep. Clever Communications was formed in June 2007 by the combination of three complimentary telecommunications and technology companies; Access Providers, Saise Telecom, and Activ Australia. Together it has more than 25 years history in the Australian IT&T market. Clever is a high-growth company; it (as Access Providers) was ranked #11 nationally and #1 in Victoria in the Deloitte Fast 50 for 2006. Its head office is in Melbourne, Victoria. For more information go to www.clevercomms.com. See Clever re-branding announcement on mobilised. Related news items Tiny Rugged UMPC WIth Vista -10/10/2007 Hybrid Drive Boosts Laptop's Skillset -10/10/2007 Consumers Want FMC: Companies Don't See The Benefit -02/10/2007 The Poor Man's Palm -02/10/2007 Nokia Buys Map Company For US$8 Billion -02/10/2007 Newer news items 3 Announces Intent to Launch Devices Based on QUALCOMM's BREW Solution -24/06/2007 Older news items Sony Ericsson Says 'Email For All' -17/06/2007 Tag This Now: