GCF compliance received for the wireless solution combining GTM351E build into specific ACER laptops
Leuven, Belgium – Friday April 21, 2006 – Option (Euronext: OPTI; OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that its HSDPA embedded wireless module, the GTM351E, is GCF certified and that the combination of this module operating within specific Acer laptops has passed all tests to be GCF compliant. GCF, the Global Certification Forum, is a partnership between network operators and terminal manufacturers that provides an independent program to ensure global interoperability of 2.5G and 3G HSDPA/UMTS mobile wireless terminals. Obtaining GCF certification is a prerequisite for doing business with leading network operators such as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, etc.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “Achieving this world’s first GCF certification for an HSDPA wireless module demonstrates our company’s dedication and focus on making the market for embedded wireless modules a reality for our partners. Being GCF certified is a very important criteria for our customers, the network operators, to ensure the highest quality, the optimal user experience and thus maximizing market viability. Furthermore we made sure that the wireless solution, combining the wireless module into specific Acer laptops, passed all GCF compliance tests. This extra service, another world’s first and done on their behalf by Option, enhances the ability of IT manufacturers to efficiently work with the network operators.”
GCF certification and compliance involved some 2.000 product lab test cases and extensive field trials that measured the GTM351E performance on different 2.5G and 3G networks. The testing conducted to achieve GCF certification ensures that the GTM351E has the highest reliability and functionality on HSDPA/UMTS and EDGE/GPRS mobile networks throughout Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East, and that it has been designed, manufactured and tested to an agreed standard. Network operators benefit by knowing that GCF certified devices will perform optimally on mobile networks, providing customers with seamless roaming.
The GTM351E is the ideal solution for an IT manufacturer embedding HSDPA, UMTS and EDGE connectivity into laptop devices. The GTM351E supports HSDPA 1.8 Mbps, UMTS WCDMA in the 2100 MHz band and EDGE/GPRS in four bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), thereby ensuring worldwide network compatibility bringing broadband wireless Internet connectivity to laptop users.
For further information on the Global Certification Forum, please visit http://gcf.gsm.org
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).
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com