EION is Chosen by the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas to Deploy Thirty Wireless Networks in Latin America

EION's helps bring broadband wireless connectivity to remote and underserved communities

Ottawa, Canada; January 7, 2005 - EION Inc. announces today that it has been chosen as the lead supplier to deliver broadband wireless connectivity solutions to remote communities throughout Latin America.  The Institute for Connectivity in the Americas' (ICA) initiative involves the deployment of nearly thirty Wi-Fi networks across the region as part of their mandate to help bridge the digital divide in Latin America and the Caribbean.

ICA was announced by the Canadian government as a Canadian contribution to the Quebec City Summit of 2001 to promote the implementation of innovative uses of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for development in Latin America and the Caribbean.  In this series of projects, ICA provides funding for the equipment, and works with local partners to select appropriate sites for deployment.  EION Wireless was chosen through a competitive tender process to supply and pre-configure Wi-Fi equipment optimized for rural connectivity applications.

"EION has been chosen as the supplier of choice for its technical ability, flexibility and innovation in providing superior routing intelligence coupled with a high degree of ruggedness, which is of critical importance to offer dependable services to these regions," stated Carlos Munante, Senior Program Specialist with ICA responsible for the Andean Region.  "The value added by EION was the ability to provide a 'Wi-Fi network in a box', that is easy to handle, transport, store and install."

Through this initiative, EION's wireless networks are being deployed in nearly thirty communities in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela - from urban slums to remote locations in the Amazon jungle.  One pilot project is being officially inaugurated in El Chaco, Ecuador, on January 8.

"Having been chosen as the wirelss equipment supplier to ICA for these projects is of unparalleled significance to EION.  Not only was a small company chosen as a key partner to this initiative, but it truly represents Canada's vision and commitment to empower developing nations with the tools and technologies needed to bridge the digital divide," commented Kalai Kalaichelvan, EION CEO, "we are truly blessed and proud to be part of such an effort."

Randy Zadra, Managing Director of ICA explains that, "in the next five years, E-Link Americas, a not-for-profit corporation supported by ICA, the World Bank, and CIDA, intends to connect 10,000 rural and remote sites throughout the Americas."