Option gains strong foothold in Scandinavian market with new contract for GlobeTrotter Fusion™, GlobeTrotter 3G™ and GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE™
Leuven – Belgium, February 28 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OPIN.BR), the wireless technology company, today announced that is has signed an agreement with TeliaSonera for the delivery to Norway, Sweden and Finland of the GlobeTrotter FUSION™, the GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE™ and the GlobeTrotter 3G™. The shipments are ongoing in line with the commercial roll-out plans within the different countries. The data cards are sold under the TeliaSonera brand.
TeliaSonera (Stockholm: TLSN, Helsinki: TLS1V) is the leading telecommunications company in the Nordic and Baltic regions. At the end of December 2004 TeliaSonera had 15,411,000 mobile customers (51,359,000 incl. associated companies) and 8,312,000 fixed telephony customers (8,943,000 incl. associated companies) and 2,017,000 internet customers (2,056,000 incl. associated companies). Outside the home markets TeliaSonera has extensive interests in the growth markets in Russia, Turkey and Eurasia. TeliaSonera is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Net sales January-December 2004 amounted to SEK 81.9 billion (EUR 9.08 billion). The number of employees was 29,082.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option, commented on the announcement: “This is an important contract for our company. It gives us a stronger foothold in the Scandinavian market and creates business opportunities in other countries where TeliaSonera is active. The fact that TeliaSonera has chosen no less than 3 data cards is proof that we continue to deliver the right products to the market and that our ability to customize products according to the specific requirements of our partners is highly appreciated. We look forward to a continued relationship with TeliaSonera.”
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.
On an EDGE network, GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE™ enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 247 kbps. Move into range of a public Wi-Fi hotspot, the corporate wireless network or the home wireless network and the GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE™ provides connection at speeds up to 54Mbps. In areas where EDGE or Wi-Fi services are not available the data card still enables reliable and secure data connections over traditional GPRS.
On a 3G network, GlobeTrotter 3G™ enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. In areas where 3G services are not available the GlobeTrotter 3G™ still enables reliable and secure data connections over GPRS.
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 and General Counsel
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com