Leuven – Belgium, October 20 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced, as a result of the acquisition of the wireless router business of Possio, the GlobeSurfer® 3G unveiling the companies first product aimed at the Fixed-Mobile substitution market.
The first customer to take the GlobeSurfer® 3G product is O2 in Germany. O2 has kicked of a marketing campaign for the wireless router and is commercialising the product under the surf@Home brand. The product is fully customised to the exacting requirements of O2. Shipments of the surf@Home II product for O2 have commenced to coincide with their recent market launch at the beginning of this month.
The GlobeSurfer® 3G is a broadband wireless router that facilitates a gateway between a Wide Area cellular network (UMTS or GPRS technologies) and a Local Wireless Wi-Fi network. Any PC, laptop or hand-held computer device being equipped with WLAN is able, through use of the Wireless Router “Gateway”, to simultaneously share a single cellular wireless connection and gain broadband access to the Internet. The product, with inbuilt comprehensive security and authentication mechanisms, is focused on mass deployment of Internet connectivity services using the data capabilities of today’s 3G UMTS networks.
Designed with ease of use in mind the GlobeSurfer® 3G is characterized by its simplicity, including a web-based user interface. In addition to the functions typical of wireless routers it provides many extra features which make it a perfect solution for a SOHO/SME requiring fixed-mobile access to the Internet, Email, and the Corporate Intranet. The product enables mobile network operators to enhance their service offerings and take advantage of the business opportunities in the fixed-mobile substitution markets.
As with the GlobeTrotter® data cards from Option the GlobeSurfer® products can be customized to the requirements of each network operator.
O2 is a leading provider of mobile communications services in Europe, with wholly owned businesses in Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Isle of Man. The company has nearly 25 million customers. O2 Germany remains the fastest growing operator in Germany. It experienced strong service revenue growth for the full financial year ended 31 March 2005, driven by the continuing rapid growth in the customer base.
Pioneered by O2 Germany, surf@home is the first product of its kind in Europe to integrate 3G and wireless LAN technologies into a single, compact box for use in the home or office. Customers simply use their PC, PDA or notebook across a wireless LAN via the box and out over the 3G network to access the Internet at speeds of up to six times greater than ISDN.
O2 became a founding member of Starmap Mobile Alliance in October 2003, a group of independent mobile phone operators who are joining forces in readiness for the international rollout of UMTS services. Starmap aims to provide a “home-away-from-home” experience by introducing seamless roaming and multimedia connectivity to more than 46 million customers in ten European countries.
GLOBESURFER® 3G PRODUCT INFORMATION
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globesurfer_3Grouter.shtml
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
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 broadband 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) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.