Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Western Wireless Corporation Selects Fujitsu FLASHWAVE® 4300 Optical Transport Solution

Popular MSPP Improves Service Quality and Enables Delivery of New Subscriber Services at Reduced Cost to Cellular One® Customers

Atlanta, GA, March 22, 2004 — Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a leading supplier of IT and networking solutions, today announced that Western Wireless Corporation (NASDAQ: WWCA), a leading provider of rural wireless communications services, has deployed the FLASHWAVE® 4300 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP) as its Digital Cross-connect System (DCS) to transport and groom traffic within eight Cellular One® markets. The platform allows Western Wireless Corporation to support the increasingly high number of connection agreements with other cellular operators in the Midwestern part of the U.S., as well as to prepare for additional, future growth. Western Wireless Corporation is also using the FLASHWAVE 4300 platform to satisfy high capacity bandwidth requirements generated from increased wireless usage and new high-speed data services for its Cellular One customers.

The FLASHWAVE 4300 MSPP optimizes the simultaneous delivery of traditional and next-generation services over a broad range of metropolitan transport networks. The platform's high-capacity grooming capability, integrated test access support and complete performance monitoring capabilities allow the FLASHWAVE 4300 platform to perform the function of a DCS and enable Western Wireless Corporation to realize immediate capital and operational savings, while expanding service offering capabilities. Carrier-class SONET, Ethernet and M13 multiplexing, combined with any-port-to-any-port STS and VT connectivity and narrowband optics for DWDM connectivity, offer unequalled flexibility.

"Our FLASHWAVE 4300 platform reduces Western Wireless' operating costs by absorbing the functionality of over a dozen SONET network elements, as well as handling multiple services such as grooming and digital cross-connect optimization, within a single shelf," said George Chase, group president and chief operating officer of Fujitsu Network Communications. "Grooming is traditionally performed with a combination of SONET network elements, very large and expensive DCS devices, and massive amounts of power, space, HVAC and associated cabling. By consolidating and pre-grooming traffic before the DCS, the FLASHWAVE 4300 platform improves the efficiency of the DCS switch fabric, which spares Western Wireless Corporation the expense of purchasing new and larger DCSs. This functionality optimizes the use of expensive DCS ports and could potentially postpone or eliminate altogether the need for costly port expansions or purchases."

The FLASHWAVE 4300 platform has been successfully deployed in eight Western Wireless Corporation markets under the Cellular One brand name: Salina, Kan., Grand Island, Neb., Lincoln, Neb., Sioux Falls, Neb., Fargo, N.D., Grant Fork, N.D., Lawton, Okla. and Lubbock, Texas. Western Wireless Corporation is planning additional deployments across their remaining markets over the next 12–18 months.

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About Western Wireless Corporation and Cellular One

Western Wireless Corporation, owner of the Cellular One brand, is a leading provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.2 million customers in the western United States. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Western Wireless Corporation operates wireless cellular phone systems and company-owned retail stores in 19 western states under the Western Wireless and Cellular One brand names. Western Wireless Corporation also licenses the Cellular One brand name to wireless service providers in 16 additional states and the Caribbean. Cellular One has been one of America's most recognized wireless brands for more than 20 years.

About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702), is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and carrier-class telecommunications solutions for the Service Provider and Cable TV market in North America. Supported by smart innovation and deep-rooted research from Fujitsu Labs, Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to deliver fully integrated IT/Telecom solutions for its customers. The company's comprehensive consulting and customer services offer support at any network design, development, deployment and maintenance stage.
For more information, please see: http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom

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FLASHWAVE® is a trademark of Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. (USA). All rights reserved. Cellular One® is a registered trademark and service mark of Cellular One Group.