Stimulus Grant Will Allow Commnet Wireless to Advance Rural Broadband Wireless

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. Subsidiary Will Deploy 4G Service in Partnership with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

SALEM, Mass., Apr 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As part of a $32.1 million stimulus grant, Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. / subsidiary Commnet Wireless, LLC will develop and operate a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network covering areas and residents of the Navajo Nation. The project represents a significant step forward in the national effort to bring vital, high-speed wireless services to underserved rural areas.

On March 25, the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) awarded the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) a $32.1 million federal stimulus grant. The grant, along with partial matching funds, will provide broadband infrastructure access to the Navajo Nation across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. As part of the project, Commnet Wireless is partnering with NTUA to provide last mile services through the company's 4G LTE network. This network will allow NTUA to supply both fixed and mobile customers with high-speed broadband access.

"We are excited to partner with NTUA and contribute our expertise in delivering affordable broadband wireless networks to underserved areas," said Lou Tomasetti, CEO of Commnet Wireless. "The telecom landscape in rural America has changed in dramatic fashion in the last few years, and Commnet has been proud to be part of those changes. The proliferation of internet and wireless technologies is vital for rural America to keep pace with the rest of the country on public safety, quality of life and economic development. We greatly appreciate the strong support that the grant project received from Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona and Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico; as well as Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico and Representatives Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona and Jim Matheson of Utah."

The 4G LTE project will provide fixed and mobile service to over 30,000 households (approximately 135,000 people) and 1,000 businesses in 15 of the largest communities in the Navajo Nation, including Window Rock, Shiprock, Kayenta, Chinle, and Tuba City. In addition, the project will provide high capacity connectivity on the combined middle-mile backbone to an additional 49 tribal communities.

"Through strategic partnerships, such as the one between Commnet Wireless and NTUA, rural areas now have a fighting chance to get access to vital broadband wireless services," said Michael Prior, CEO of Atlantic Tele-Network. "The project will create jobs and advance the economic interests of underserved communities, which fits nicely with ATN's core strategy. The relatively small scale and rural nature of this work may not appeal to the national carriers, but we see tremendous opportunity to apply our expertise to this national initiative."

Atlanta, GA-based Commnet Wireless has a long history of working in rural America. The company's experience -- ranging from spectrum management to regulatory procedures to professional services -- is complimentary to rural utilities that have facilities, brand awareness, and intimate knowledge of their local markets. As part of this grant, Commnet Wireless will provide $2.2 million in matching funds.

About Atlantic Tele-Network

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!atni/quotes/nls/atni (ATNI 45.06, -0.06, -0.13%) , headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts, is a telecommunications company operating advanced wireless, wireline and both terrestrial and submarine fiber optic networks in North America and the Caribbean. Its principal subsidiaries include: Commnet Wireless, LLC, which provides voice and data wireless roaming services for U.S. and international carriers in rural areas throughout the United States; Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Limited, which is the national telephone service provider for all local, long-distance and international services, as well as a wireless service provider in Guyana; Bermuda Digital Communications Ltd., which is the leading provider of wireless voice and data services in Bermuda operating as Cellular One, and an early-stage wireless provider in Turks & Caicos through its IslandCom subsidiary; Sovernet, Inc., which provides wireline voice and data services to businesses and homes in New England and high capacity communications network transport services in New York State through its ION subsidiary; and Choice Communications, LLC, which provides wireless broadband services in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other matters, the successful completion of the proposed broadband infrastructure and the Company's further operating plans. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events or results. Actual future events and results could differ materially from the events and results indicated in these statements as a result of many factors. Such factors include, among others, the ability of each of Commnet Wireless and the NTUA to (i) timely and successfully complete the buildout of the broadband infrastructure and (ii) obtain the required funds to contribute to the stimulus grant amounts. Additional factors that may cause actual future events and results to differ materially from the events and results indicated in the forward-looking statements above are set forth under Item 1A "Risk Factors" of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and ATN and Commnet Wireless disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this news release.

SOURCE: Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. 
Michael T. Prior, 978-619-1300 
Chief Executive Officer 
or 
Justin D. Benincasa, 978-619-1300 
Chief Financial Officer