RuggedCom Announces RuggedMAX(TM) 7018, a Utility Grade WiMAX Solution for
the Canadian Market

Solution will provide long range IP based wireless communications in the 1.8 GHz band for smart grid initiatives

CONCORD, ON, May 24 /CNW/ - RuggedCom Inc. ("RuggedCom") (TSX:RCM), a leading provider of rugged communications networking solutions designed for mission-critical applications in harsh environments, has introduced the RuggedMAX(TM) WiN7018, a high power WiMAX base station designed to meet the new regulations in Canada for 1.8 GHz radio frequency spectrum for electric power applications. The RuggedMAX(TM) solution is ideal for applications such as distribution automation, AMI/R backhaul or SCADA.

The RuggedMAX(TM) WiN7018 is designed to deliver multi megabit IP based connectivity to end points covering radii of up to 40 Kms. The RuggedMAX(TM) product portfolio is the industry's first 802.16e compliant platform that offers the combination of interoperability with a utility grade feature set. In addition to base station products, RuggedCom also offers a line of subscriber units in 1.8 GHz, which come with built-in integrated directional antennas for long range applications or with external RF ports for integration into existing enclosures. The subscriber units support the new RuggedPower(TM) injector which provides users the ability to feed subscriber units with either low voltage DC feeds ranging from 10-60 volts DC for distribution automation applications, or from high voltage sources such as 125 volts DC, as is more common in electric substations. In addition, subscribers equipped with the RuggedPower(TM) Injector have the option to convert serial based signals such as DNP, produced by legacy IEDs, to Ethernet. This enables customers to implement modern distribution automation schemes on legacy devices.

"We are very excited about the new 1.8 GHz band for electric power applications in Canada," said Elik Jaeger, Vice President RuggedWIRELESS. "We expect that this new band will fill a long standing void and enable our customers to achieve better visibility and greater flexibility in their Smart Grid implementations. We are already seeing a lot of interest from key utilities in Canada and we expect the vast majority of them to invest in this technology."

RuggedMAX(TM) base stations conform to RuggedCom's RuggedRated quality and performance standard and have been designed to survive the harsh environments present in the electric substation including meeting IEEE 1613 and IEC 61850-03 standards. Supporting a native layer 2 architecture without the need for an ASN gateway enables applications such as IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging to extend outside of the substation, while minimizing end to end system latency and increasing reliability. RuggedMAX(TM) base stations are available for indoor rack mount installation or outdoor environments, meeting the extended temperature range required for harsh Canadian winters. RuggedCom is currently in pilots with the RuggedMAX(TM) WiN7018 with several major utilities in Canada.

Discover why RuggedCom products and technologies have set the standard for Utility Grade communications networks deployed in harsh environments.

About RuggedMAX(TM)

RuggedMAX(TM) is a high-performance, long range, secure family of products fully compliant with the WiMAX 802.16e Wave 2 (MIMO) mobile broadband wireless standard. RuggedMAX(TM) is designed to extend IP networks over large distances to fixed and mobile users. The product family includes a variety of base stations and subscriber stations with differing output power, form factors and frequency options for use in licensed or license exempt bands. The RuggedMAX(TM) product family has gone through extensive end to end network interoperability testing to support multiple different ASN gateway platforms and 3rd party subscriber devices in order to give customers flexibility by leveraging the full WiMAX ecosystem. RuggedMAX(TM) with its compact form factor and flexible configuration is ideal for use in mission critical private networks.

RuggedMAX(TM) WiMAX technology creates a reliable, high-performance communications infrastructure enabling a high-performance Smart Grid.

About RuggedCom Inc.:

RuggedCom is a leading provider of rugged communications networking solutions designed for mission-critical applications in harsh environments. RuggedCom's technology solutions include Ethernet switches, network routers, wireless devices, serial servers, media converters, software and professional services. RuggedCom's products are designed for use in harsh environments such as those found in electrical power substations and "Smart Grids", intelligent transportation systems, industrial process control and military applications.

For further information, please visit www.RuggedCom.com.

For further information: For media or industry analyst support, please contact: RuggedCom Inc., Jamie Blakeley, Marketing Communications Coordinator, [phone], 1 [phone] toll free