(BSNS WIRE) Triton PCS Awards Contract to Wireless Facilities Inc., WFI, Triton PCS Awards Contract to Wireless Facilities Inc., WFI, for Network Alarming and Fault Management Services Business Editors SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000--Wireless Facilities Inc. (WFI) (Nasdaq:WFII) announced today that Triton PCS Inc. has signed a three-year contract for WFI to provide 24-by-7 network fault management and alarm monitoring services. Triton PCS, the first member of the AT&T Wireless Services Inc. network of affiliates, provides 1900 MHz TDMA service covering a population of 11.4 million people in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, northern Georgia and northeastern Tennessee. "Providing superior network coverage and quality is a key reason for Triton PCS's operating success since we launched service last January," said Steve Skinner, Triton PCS president and chief operating officer. "We now serve 27 Southeastern markets and continue an aggressive expansion program to meet strong consumer demand. With this extensive growth, we concluded a more centralized approach to network management would offer significant cost efficiencies. Capitalizing on WFI's experience in the deployment and management of wireless networks worldwide gives us the flexibility to concentrate on delivering 'best-in-class' wireless service." Under the terms of this contract, San Diego-based WFI will provide network fault management and alarm monitoring services for a network totaling 2,300 cell sites and nine switches by the end of 2001. WFI will be responsible for the surveillance and fault management of the Triton PCS network 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This includes the fault management of overall network operations, from switch locations to home location register (HLR) equipment, cell sites, voice mail services, short message capabilities and prepaid platforms. Scott Fox, president of WFI's Network Management Group, said, "We are proud to have been selected by Triton PCS to provide them with our superior network management services. WFI has worked very closely with Triton PCS over the years encompassing all phases of their network's growth. We have been privileged to have been involved in the initial design, optimization, and now the ongoing management of Triton PCS' world class network. This agreement will provide Triton PCS with turnkey, state-of-the-art monitoring and alarm management services for their network operations that will help ensure the highest quality service and reliability. This new capability underscores WFI's ability to deliver a complete and comprehensive portfolio of services to our wireless customers around the world." WFI is currently providing Triton PCS with radio frequency (RF) design, optimization and performance engineering services under a contract that runs through 2001. Based on WFI's commitment and performance during the design and deployment of the Triton PCS network, this contract was extended to cover the network fault management services. "In a marketplace that has become increasingly crowded, we believe the most effective way to differentiate our offering is by delivering superior service and customer care," Skinner said. "WFI has demonstrated the capabilities, competency and commitment required to help us manage our network, which translates into a more efficient and cost-effective network solution for our subscribers." About Wireless Facilities A global leader in telecommunications outsourcing, Wireless Facilities Inc. designs, deploys and manages wireless networks for some of the largest telecom carriers and equipment suppliers worldwide. Specializing in network architecture and dimensioning of mobile and high speed wireless data systems, WFI provides a complete range of network services -- from business and market planning to RF engineering, fixed network engineering, site acquisition and development, installation, optimization and maintenance. Headquartered in San Diego, WFI has grown to more than 900 employees and has performed work in 26 countries since the firm was founded in 1994. The company has offices in Washington, D.C., Mexico City, Sao Paulo, New Delhi and London. News and information are available at www.wfinet.com. About Triton PCS Triton PCS, the first member of the AT&T Wireless Services Inc. network of affiliates, is licensed to build and operate a digital wireless network in a contiguous area covering 13 million people in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, northern Georgia and northeastern Tennessee. The Berwyn, Pennsylvania-based company is marketing its service under the brand SunCom, a member of the AT&T Wireless Network. For more information on Triton PCS, visit www.tritonpcs.com or www.suncom.com. This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "may," "will," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are only predictions, and the company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences, include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with managing a rapidly growing company; risks related to effectively managing our international operations; uncertainties related to hiring and retaining key management personnel and engineers to staff rapidly growing domestic and international operations; and risks related to our dependence on industry trends toward outsourcing the types of services WFI provides and the continued growth in deployment of wireless networks. These factors and others are more fully discussed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's registration statement on Form-1 (NO.333-85515) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. --30--jm/sd* sf/sd CONTACT: Wireless Facilities Inc. (WFI) Kristi Weaver, 858/824-2929 kristi.weaver@wfinet.com or Triton PCS Melissa Nichols, 610/722-4286 mnichols@tritonpcs.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH CAROLINA GEORGIA TENNESSEE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNET SOFTWARE NETWORKING Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: businesswire.com *** end of story *** |