Filed by SR Telecom Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Netro Corporation
Commission File No. 333-107620
[LOGO (NETRO)] [LOGO (SR Telecom)]
WWW.SRTELECOM.COM
NEWS RELEASE
Contacts: Contacts:
Sanjay Khare David Adams (Vice-President, Finance and CFO)
Netro Corporation (514) 335-4035
408-216-1500 email: David_Adams@srtelecom.com
email: SanjayK@netro-corp.com
Paul Goyette (Director, Communications)
(514) 335-2429 x. 4361
email: Paul_Goyette@srtelecom.com
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AIRSTAR PLATFORM SELECTED BY CHINA UNICOM
HIGH-CAPACITY BROADBAND WIRELESS SYSTEM TO BE DEPLOYED IN BEIJING, SHENZHEN AND
FIVE OTHER CITIES IN EASTERN CHINA
MONTREAL, AUGUST 11, 2003 - SR Telecom(TM) Inc. (TSX: SRX), the world leader in
fixed wireless access solutions, today announced that China Unicom has selected
Netro Corporation's AirStar high-capacity broadband fixed wireless access
solution to build high-performance networks in the capital, Beijing, Shenzhen
and five other major cities in Eastern China. China Unicom will extend existing
backbone networks to deliver voice, data and videoconferencing services to its
subscribers in these markets. China Unicom will deploy the networks through SR
Telecom's and Netro Corporation partners in China, Eastern Communications
Company Limited and Shenzhen Winhap Communications Limited.
China Unicom, the only integrated telecommunications operator in China, selected
the AirStar solution for its effectiveness and its field-proven robustness. The
AirStar product meets China Unicom's need for a feature-rich solution with QoS
(Quality of Service) support that can be seamlessly integrated within their
backbone network. China Unicom will benefit from AirStar's reliability, its ease
of operation and its ability to transport multiple applications, such as Frame
Relay, TDM, IP and ATM. China Unicom will use the AirStar in the 26 GHz
frequency band in three cities and in the 3.5 GHz band in five cities. Both
frequency bands will be used in the capital, Beijing. This frequency
flexibility, which is unique in the industry, enables China Unicom to
efficiently manage and deliver services in their coverage area.
"China Unicom has established a very impressive backbone network, and the
AirStar product will now provide the last-mile access bandwidth to meet their
customers' growing needs," said Claude Giguere, SR Telecom's Senior
Vice-President, Sales. "We are particularly pleased with our selection for the
major cities of Beijing and Shenzhen. This demonstrates China Unicom's
confidence in the AirStar technology and clearly establishes us as the leading
BWA supplier in China."
With a combined population of over 20 million, Beijing and Shenzhen, are two of
the largest and fastest growing markets in China. SR Telecom has been an active
supplier of wireless access solutions in China since 1988.
AirStar is a high-capacity, carrier-class fixed broadband wireless access
solution that can be deployed quickly and economically to handle a large range
of communication services for businesses and cellular backhaul. AirStar offers
capabilities in the 3.5, 10, 26, 28 and 39 GHz bands. It enables operators, like
China Unicom, to transport services like Frame Relay, TDM, IP and ATM. It has an
impressive track record of performance and stability across a worldwide
installed base.
On March 27, SR Telecom announced a definitive agreement to acquire Netro
Corporation (NASDAQ: NTRO). The transaction solidifies SR Telecom's position as
the world's leading provider of carrier-class fixed wireless access solutions by
adding AirStar and the next generation 3.5 GHz Angel products to SR Telecom's
portfolio.
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SR TELECOM INC. 8150 Trans-Canada Hwy., Montreal QC H4S 1M5
T (514) 335.1210 F (514) 334.7783 1
NETRO'S AIRSTAR PLATFORM SELECTED BY CHINA UNICOM PAGE 2
ABOUT CHINA UNICOM
China Unicom Limited (NYSE: CHU) is the only integrated telecommunications
operator in China. Its scope of operation includes GSM and CDMA cellular
communication businesses in 21 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions,
nationwide radio paging services, international and domestic long distance, data
communications, such as IP telephony, and the provision of other related
value-added services. For more information about China Unicom, please visit
www.chinaunicom.com.hk.
ABOUT NETRO CORPORATION
Netro Corporation is a leading provider of fixed broadband wireless systems used
by telecommunications service providers to deliver voice and high-speed data
services for access and mobile infrastructure applications to customers
worldwide. Netro offers a broad range of low and high frequency products for
business and residential, access and mobile infrastructure needs, with a wide
set of licensed frequencies for point-to-multipoint: 1.9 - 39 GHz. The Company's
AirStar and Angel products have an impressive track record of performance and
stability worldwide.
ABOUT SR TELECOM
SR TELECOM (TSX: SRX) is a world leader and innovator in Fixed Wireless Access
technology, which links end-users to networks using wireless transmissions. SR
Telecom's field-proven solutions include equipment, network planning, project
management, installation and maintenance services. The Company offers the
industry's broadest portfolio of fixed wireless products, designed to enable
carriers and service providers to rapidly deploy high-quality voice, high-speed
data and broadband applications. These products, which are used in over 110
countries, are among the most advanced and reliable available today.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may
contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the
future performance of the Company. These statements are based on suppositions
and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future
events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations,
fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for the
Company's products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by
competitors, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers
are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.
SR Telecom and Netro have filed a registration statement on Form F-4, including
a proxy statement/prospectus, and other relevant documents with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the acquisition, and Netro
expects to mail the proxy statement/prospectus to its stockholders in connection
with the acquisition. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy
statement/prospectus carefully, because it contains important information about
SR Telecom, Netro and the acquisition. Investors and security holders may obtain
free copies of these documents, when they are available, through the website
maintained by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at
www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies
of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by SR Telecom
by contacting SR Telecom Investor Relations, 8150 Trans-Canada Highway,
Montreal, Quebec, H4S 1M5, (514) 335-1210. Investors and security holders may
obtain free copies of the documents filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission by Netro Corporation by contacting Netro Corporation
Investor Relations, 3860 North First Street, San Jose, California 95134, (408)
216-1500.
SR Telecom and Netro, and their respective directors, executive officers,
certain members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in
the solicitation of proxies from Netro's stockholders in connection with the
merger. A description of the interests of Gideon Ben-Efraim, Netro Corporation's
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and certain of Netro's other
executive officers, employees and directors who may be deemed to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies, and any additional benefit they may receive in
connection with the merger, are described in the proxy statement/prospectus.
Investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant
materials when they become available before making any voting or investment
decision with respect to the acquisition.
SR TELECOM is a trademark of SR Telecom Inc. All rights reserved 2002. All other
trademarks are property of their owners.
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SR TELECOM INC. 8150 Trans-Canada Hwy., Montreal QC H4S 1M5
T (514) 335.1210 F (514) 334.7783 2