Leuven – Belgium, February 4 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OPIN.BR), the wireless technology company, today announced that WIND, the 3rd largest mobile operator in Italy, has selected Option’s GlobeTrotter FUSION™ as the wireless broadband data solution for its mobile users. The data card, customized according to Wind’s specifications, is marketed directly by Wind to its customers whilst being supplied and supported locally by Option’s partner DAI Telecom/Telit.
Wind, a member of the Starmap Mobile Alliance, has gained a market share of 16% in just three years from launch of its mobile service. It serves a mobile customer base of 10 million subscribers. Established in 1997, Wind is the sole operator in Italy, and one of the fast growing number of operators within Europe, that are leading the trend to offer their customers an integrated telecommunications solution combining fixed line, WiFi and traditional mobile GPRS and 3G UMTS Internet services. Wind manages Europe’s deepest and most extensive TLC network run by a non-incumbent operator. Wind covers more than 94% of the Italian population with its mobile network. Its customers are demanding state-of-the-art mobile wireless broadband solutions covering at the same time 2,5G, 3G and WLAN/Wi-Fi networks. In selecting Option’s GlobeTrotter FUSION TM data card and Option’s GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager TM WIND is able to provide those mobile users with a fast, simple, secure and comprehensive mobile data solution.
Dai Telecom which is part of Telit Communications group is an Italy-based international provider of cutting-edge cellular M2M (Machine-to-Machine) technology, and a prominent branded enhanced value-added reseller (EVAR) of a range of advanced cellular devices worldwide. Telit is at the forefront of the cellular revolution, as both a producer and marketer of advanced cellular technology and products. Telit owns a large number of valuable patents and has especially strong in-house technology and development expertise. This mix of technological proficiency and marketing know-how has allowed Telit to effectively and nimbly penetrate numerous market segments by rapidly adapting existing manufacturer products to market or brand-specific demands.
On a 3G network the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ enables broadband connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Move into a range of public WiFi hotspot, the corporate WLAN or your home wireless network and the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ provides connection at speeds up to 54Mbps. In areas where 3G or WiFi services are not available GlobeTrotter FUSION™ still ensures reliable and secure data connection over the widely available GPRS services.
Option’s GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager™, designed specifically to be easily tailored to meet individual operators branding and functional requirements, has been customized to meet the exacting requirements of Wind’s customers and enables users of the “UMTS/WiFi Fire Card” to have fast, simple and easy access to wireless data whilst hiding from the user the complexity of underlying wireless 3G UMTS, GPRS, WLAN and Wi-Fi technologies.
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 and General Counsel
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 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 an extensive Research & Development centre based in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork (Ireland).