BLUE BELL, Pa., Jan. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UniTek Global Services, Inc. ("UniTek" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:UNTK) (Nasdaq:UNTKD), a premier provider of permanently outsourced infrastructure services to the wireless and wireline telecommunications, broadband cable and satellite television industries, today announced that it has been selected by XFONE, Inc. (NYSE Amex:XFN) as a key vendor for the initial construction and fiber optic expansion of its "PRIDE" Fiber-To-The-Premise (FTTP) network in Texas.
Xfone is a holding and managing company with operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel. The PRIDE network is designed to bring next-generation broadband via FTTP infrastructure with a WiMAX service-extension overlay to the Texas Plains and Southern Louisiana. The first two phases of this construction will bring service to 19 communities in Texas, with the third phase extending coverage into southern Louisiana.
PRIDE Network was selected to receive an aggregate of $54 million in loans and $45.9 million in grants from the United States Department of Agriculture's ("USDA") Broadband Initiative Program. The agreement between UniTek and PRIDE is contingent upon PRIDE meeting the terms of the loan, grant or loan/grant agreements with the USDA.
"Our selection as the first vendor to join this project came following a three-month review process by PRIDE Network," said C. Scott Hisey, Chief Executive Officer of UniTek. "As a preferred partner, UniTek was awarded a leading role in this build-out based on our scalable resource platform as well as our experience and industry-leading capabilities in the area of fiber network construction. This project will ultimately bring critical broadband infrastructure supporting voice, video and data services to 50,000 homes and businesses in West Texas and Louisiana. This network will create new jobs and enhance the way in which the residents of this region communicate with the rest of the world. One of our primary goals is to accelerate our involvement in U.S. funded construction projects, therefore we are pleased to be partnering with Xfone and PRIDE on this important deployment."
About UniTek Global Services:
UniTek Global Services is a provider of engineering, construction management and installation fulfillment services to companies specializing in the telecommunications, broadband cable, wireless and satellite industries. UniTek has created a scalable operating platform, enabling each UniTek subsidiary to deliver quality services to its Fortune 200 customers. UniTek, based in Blue Bell, PA, utilizes a diverse workforce of over 5,200 deployed in over 102 locations in the United States and Canada. www.unitekgs.com
About Xfone, Inc.:
A U.S.-domiciled corporation, XFONE, Inc., through its subsidiaries, offers local and long distance communications services, which include voice, video and data over its Fiber-To-The-Premise (FTTP) network. The Company currently has operations in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. For the company's website, please visit:
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company may from time to time make written or oral "Forward-looking statements," including statements contained in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that the registration statement never becomes effective and we are not able to conduct any offering of securities in connections with the registration statement, as well as other risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All such statements are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not undertake to update any forward looking statement, whether written or oral, which may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company, except as may be required by applicable law or regulations.
CONTACT: The Piacente Group, Inc. Investor Relations Brandi Floberg Lee Roth (212) 481-2050 unitek@tpg-ir.com
