Powered and connected through desktop or laptop USB port
Barcelona, Spain – February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announces GlobeSurfer® ICON a new breed of wireless device that delivers simple and fast wireless broadband connectivity for consumer or business applications whether at home or at work. With its DSL comparable data speed and zero-installation, the GlobeSurfer® ICON connects, and is powered, through any Desktop or Laptop USB port. The GlobeSurfer® ICON opens up the potential for Option’s mobile network operator customers to enter the fixed wireless convergence market.
In many countries fixed line Internet services are restricted to slow 56K dial-up, slightly faster but expensive ISDN services, or very limited ADSL availability. As the footprint of HSDPA and 3G UMTS networks expand, wireless operators are able to now provide services where other technologies fail to reach.
Jan Callewaert, CEO at Option: “GlobeSurfer® ICON is designed to take advantage of the available high speed HSDPA/3G networks whilst offering the consumer a true plug ‘n play experience. This is a promising market segment and one which we believe will be of major importance. In just four months, we have successfully brought a portfolio of three pioneering fixed-wireless products to market. With GlobeSurfer® ICON we affirm Option’s continued commitment to product execution by bringing innovation combined with leading edge technology for the benefit of our customers and in turn their clientele.”
Using patented technology, GlobeSurfer® ICON is truly plug ‘n play with zero user intervention. This means no user install, no application or driver CD. Available for mobile operators to supply ‘off-the-shelf’, GlobeSurfer® ICON can be tailored with pre-configured network settings providing virtually instantaneous broadband access to Internet, email, instant messaging and video conferencing applications. All the user needs is to do is simply plug GlobeSurfer® ICON into an available USB port and connect to the internet, wirelessly.
GlobeSurfer® ICON supports numerous features to enable multiple service offerings such as network lock, cell lock, and home-zoning. Over an HSDPA network, GlobeSurfer® ICON enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps. In areas where HSDPA service is not available icon can connect over 3G UMTS at up to 384 kbps, quad-band EDGE/GPRS at up to 247 kbps.
GlobeSurfer® ICON product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globesurfer_icon.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
ABOUT OPTION
Option NV (www.option.com), the wireless technology company, is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of 3G WCDMA (HSDPA and UMTS), EDGE, GPRS, GSM and WLAN technology products for wireless connectivity solutions. Option has built up an enviable reputation for creating exciting products that enhance the performance and functionality of wireless communications. Option’s headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium. The company has Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.