Leuven – Belgium, May 23 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OPIN.BR), the wireless technology company, today announced that its latest addition to its portfolio of 3G wireless data cards, the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD™, gained full GCF certification for 3G UMTS and 2.5G GPRS.
“Our customers demand the highest of standards from our products both in network interoperability and in overall quality. Achieving GCF certification is an important milestone in this regard giving an industry recognized standard of approval for our products”, said Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing at Option. “The GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD™ is the first commercially available wireless data card with GCF approval on both 3G and 2.5G standards, FCC certification for US markets (quad-band), EAP-SIM & Microsoft PCSC Smart Card certification, and Microsoft WHQL driver certification. This further substantiates Option’s commitment to the market and to our customers in providing the best quality leading edge wireless data solutions.”
GCF, the Global Certification Forum (www.gcf.gsm.org), is a partnership between network operators and terminal manufacturers that provides an independent programme to ensure global interoperability of 2G and 3G mobile wireless terminals. Globally, the trend is towards harmonisation of standards. But today, global conformance has yet to be attained – particularly when individual states have their own regulatory frameworks with differing conformance requirements. GCF certification brings the solution. GCF scheme compliments national regulatory authority schemes because its test requirements incorporate the essential requirements of those schemes. In addition, GCF provides testing for terminal inter-operability and other functionality. Network operators benefit by knowing that certified terminals will perform correctly on networks, to provide customers with a seamless roaming service.
About GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD™
The GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD™ was the world’s first 5-band wireless data card combining 3G UMTS at 2100 MHz for EMEA markets and Quad band GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz for worldwide markets in a single PC data card. On a 3G network, the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD™ enables a connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. In areas where 3G service coverage is not available the data card continues to provide a reliable and secure data connection over the widely available GPRS service.
The full range of wireless data cards from Option is customisable to suit the branding requirements of mobile network operators and IT manufacturers.
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) 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