Leuven – Belgium, February 2 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OPIN.BR), the wireless technology company, today announced that Cellcom Israel has chosen Option’s GlobeTrotter FUSION™ as the new data card to further extend their broadband wireless data solutions to the corporate market. The GlobeTrotter FUSION™ Option branded data card is marketed directly by Cellcom to its customers and is supplied and supported locally through Option’s partner for the Israeli market, Yaar Mobile Data Communications.
Cellcom is the leading cellular communications operator and one of the strongest brands in Israel. The company has more than 2.4 million clients, a comprehensive countrywide coverage “from Dan to Eilat”, some 360 points of sale and 53 Cellcom Chain Service and Sale centers in Israel.
Cellcom’s customers will use the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ on Cellcom’s UMTS/GPRS/GSM and Wi-Fi networks in Israel as well as being able to roam on partner networks worldwide. Cellcom offers roaming services for 390 networks in 153 countries and GPRS roaming for 139 networks in 65 countries. WLAN and Wi-Fi services are provided by Cellcom through Excilan that has an extensive network of over 2.738 hot spots located across 34 countries.
Yaar Mobile Data Communication is Option’s long-term partner for the region. Both companies have in the past successfully marketed other Option products in Israel. Yaar Mobile Data Communication LTD specializes in integrated computer network systems and in finding complete solutions for its customers to the MDN Network Systems, providing advanced voice and wireless data solutions to customers on GSM/GPRS/UMTS networks.
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™ software enables users of the card to have fast, simple and easy access to wireless data whilst hiding from the user the complexity of underlying wireless 3G UMTS, GPRS and WLAN technologies. In conjunction with Option’s mobile IP solution the mobile user will be able to seamlessly roam between access technologies 3G/WLAN/2G with automatic authentication using GlobeTrotter FUSIONTM inbuilt support for PC Smart Card and EAP-SIM.
About OptionOption 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 and General Counsel
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com