Barcelona, Spain - February 15, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Mobistar, an Orange Group company, has chosen the GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ as the Belgian operator’s first product combining 3G and EDGE technologies in a single PC data card. The data card will support Mobistar’s “Business Everywhere” solution and will be sold as part of the Mobile Office Card product family. The ‘HSDPA-Ready’ technology gives Mobistar’s business customers the additional advantage of a future-proof data card for the upcoming HSDPA 1.8 Mbps services.
Benoît Scheen, Chief Commercial Officer at Mobistar explains: “Option’s GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ card is a real opportunity for Mobistar. We are currently deploying a 3G network which will be upgraded to HSDPA while we are the only operator that already has a coverage of above 99% of the Belgian population with EDGE technology.”
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “We’re very pleased that Mobistar has selected Option’s 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ data card for the Belgian market. Seizing the wireless broadband opportunity will greatly benefit Mobistar and its customers. Moreover, Mobistar is the 5th customer from within the Orange Group. I’m looking forward to a great relationship.”
On a 3G UMTS network, the GlobeTrotter 3G EDGE enables broadband connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Where 3G services are not available the card falls back to EDGE offering data speeds up to 247 kbps. In the absence of EDGE or 3G, reliable and secure data connections can be established over traditional GPRS.
‘HSDPA-Ready’ is a concept unique to Option: when a network operator decides to launch HSDPA services in its territory a simple firmware upgrade, made available via the operator’s website, is sufficient to release the power and speed of HSDPA on the data card. Users can purchase the GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE wireless data card to take advantage of 3G and EDGE technologies now, safe in the knowledge that that the card can easily be upgraded when Mobistar launches HSDPA. Users might otherwise wait for HSDPA and delay their purchase.
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For PR contacts at 3GSM World Congress:
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager, Option
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
Mobistar press office:
Tel +32 495 95 9888
E-mail: press@mail.mobistar.be
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
ABOUT MOBISTAR
Mobistar (Euronext Brussels: MOBB) is one of the main actors in the world of telecommunications in Belgium, active in mobile telephony, fixed telephony, ADSL and on other markets with a strong growth potential (data transmission, etc.). Mobistar is part of the Orange Group which brings together most of the mobile activities of France Telecom.Mobistar is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange. On 31 December 2005 Mobistar counted a total of 2,912,806 active customers for mobile telephony.
GlobalConnect International Data Roaming Plans and Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect Card to Extend Wireless Broadband Service Overseas
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 13, 2006 – Whether sending a business proposal from a restaurant on the Costa del Garraf in Barcelona or accessing the company website while watching surfers “hang ten” along the San Diego coast, Cingular customers will soon be the first in the world to use a single PC modem card to receive some of the fastest wireless broadband connections worldwide.
Next month, Cingular will begin offering customers a one-stop shopping experience for global wireless broadband service. Cingular GlobalConnect features unlimited domestic data usage on the company’s BroadbandConnect and EDGE networks in the United States and 100MB of wireless data usage on networks throughout Asia and Europe. The company will also provide customers with a single LaptopConnect card that connects to multiple wireless data networks in 95 countries. One device. One rate plan. Global coverage.
Cingular GlobalConnect will feature the Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card – the FIRST, commercially available global 3G device of its kind. The card is a tri-band (850/1900/2100 MHz) UMTS/HSDPA (Universal Mobile Telephone System/High Speed Downlink Packet Access) device that has a unique retractable antenna design, making it the world's first UMTS/HSDPA data card that doesn’t need to be removed from the notebook computer during transport. The card uses Cingular’s Communication Manager to access HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS cellular networks and public/private Wi-Fi networks.
Cingular GlobalConnect will offer two international wireless data usage plans – a North American plan ($109.99 for 100MB) for travel within Canada and Mexico, and an Overseas ($139.99 for 100MB) plan – both include unlimited data usage on Cingular’s domestic data networks. These plans will give mobile professionals unprecedented ability to use their laptops to access applications, e-mail and perform other tasks while traveling within the U.S. and abroad. The Overseas plan will provide access in more than two dozen countries, with service planned to be offered in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Spain and other major areas in Asia and Europe. With 45 countries currently offering UMTS service, Cingular expects to provide 3G data roaming capability in additional countries throughout the year.
“The need for broadband connections continues to move from our offices and living rooms to almost anywhere in the world,” said Kris Rinne, chief technology officer for Cingular Wireless. “As more GSM carriers upgrade to UMTS and HSDPA, we see ourselves becoming the travel agents for 3G worldwide.”
“We are delighted to offer Cingular’s customers in the US and overseas this truly innovative product. In today’s world where global travel is now the norm, mobile professionals demand instant and speedy access to their corporate applications and information, any time; anywhere,” said Jan Callewaert, chief executive officer for Option. “The unveiling of the GT MAX today further demonstrates Option’s leading market position in both ergonomic design and wireless data technology.”
Cingular Wireless was the first carrier in the world to make HSDPA service widely available to customers. The BroadbandConnect network is available in 16 major metropolitan areas in the United States, covering 52 cities. The company will extend coverage to most major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. in 2006. Customers can use the new Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card in these markets to receive average download speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second, with bursts to more than one megabit per second.
When Cingular customers travel outside of 3G UMTS/HSDPA coverage in the United States, the GlobeTrotter GT MAX Laptop Connect card can be used to access the Cingular EDGE network (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) in more than 13,000 cities and towns, and connect to either EDGE or GPRS data service in more than 95 countries worldwide. Customers accessing UMTS services in other countries should expect to receive average download speeds between 200-300kbps, depending on the network accessed.
Cingular’s BroadbandConnect service uses HSDPA/UMTS technology -- the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers. Wireless carriers offering UMTS, EDGE or GPRS can upgrade their networks to HSDPA and be assured there is a continued evolutionary path to faster speeds and more advanced services.
The Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card will be available for $99.99 when customers purchase a two-year unlimited BroadbandConnect contract or a one-year GlobalConnect plan.
Option is showcasing the GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card in its booth at this year’s GSM World Congress show this week in Barcelona. Cingular customers can receive more information about the company’s LaptopConnect cards by visiting www.cingular.com/laptopconnect or on the company’s BroadbandConnect service by visiting www.cingular.com/broadbandconnect.
ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 54 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc., (NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER (SM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover (SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com. Get Cingular Wireless press releases e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://www.cingular.com/newsroom.
ABOUT OPTION
Option NV (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), 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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland. More information on Option can be found at www.option.com.
Barcelona, Spain - February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today unveils the GlobeSurfer® HSDPA, the second member within its fixed-wireless product family aimed at delivering flexible wireless broadband connectivity to Small Offices, Home Office and Mobile Office environments. The GlobeSurfer® HSDPA is the fastest broadband wireless router available today and enables the user to establish an instant hotspot with a speed of up to 1.8 Mbps over an HSDPA connection and share this connection with multiple users.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “We consider the fixed-wireless market important for our company and our network operator customers. The GlobeSurfer® HSDPA complements Option’s GlobeSurfer® 3G wireless router, launched in October 2005 and being marketed by O2 in Germany and TMN in Portugal. Bringing HSDPA technology to our wireless routers will further increase the market potential for this type of product and will further enable our customers to fully take advantage of their ongoing HSDPA deployments”.
Designed for ease-of-use, and simplicity of installation, the versatile GlobeSurfer® HSDPA is ideally suited to Small Office and Home Office environments where it can be shared by multiple users. However, comprehensive support and remote administration features combined with user-authentication capabilities make it a flexible and cost-effective solution to the challenge of providing reliable and secure data connectivity to Mobile or Temporary Offices.
The GlobeSurfer® HSDPA also opens up opportunities for public transport operators to add value for their own business customers by providing mobile hotspots in taxis, coaches, trains and ferries. It can also be used as a back-up, or disaster recovery solution, for traditional wired networking and fixed lines.
GlobeSurfer® HSDPA product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globesurfer_3G_HSDPA.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Powered and connected through desktop or laptop USB port
Barcelona, Spain - February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announces GlobeSurfer® ICON a new breed of wireless device that delivers simple and fast wireless broadband connectivity for consumer or business applications whether at home or at work. With its DSL comparable data speed and zero-installation, the GlobeSurfer® ICON connects, and is powered, through any Desktop or Laptop USB port. The GlobeSurfer® ICON opens up the potential for Option’s mobile network operator customers to enter the fixed wireless convergence market.
In many countries fixed line Internet services are restricted to slow 56K dial-up, slightly faster but expensive ISDN services, or very limited ADSL availability. As the footprint of HSDPA and 3G UMTS networks expand, wireless operators are able to now provide services where other technologies fail to reach.
Jan Callewaert, CEO at Option: “GlobeSurfer® ICON is designed to take advantage of the available high speed HSDPA/3G networks whilst offering the consumer a true plug ‘n play experience. This is a promising market segment and one which we believe will be of major importance. In just four months, we have successfully brought a portfolio of three pioneering fixed-wireless products to market. With GlobeSurfer® ICON we affirm Option’s continued commitment to product execution by bringing innovation combined with leading edge technology for the benefit of our customers and in turn their clientele.”
Using patented technology, GlobeSurfer® ICON is truly plug ‘n play with zero user intervention. This means no user install, no application or driver CD. Available for mobile operators to supply ‘off-the-shelf’, GlobeSurfer® ICON can be tailored with pre-configured network settings providing virtually instantaneous broadband access to Internet, email, instant messaging and video conferencing applications. All the user needs is to do is simply plug GlobeSurfer® ICON into an available USB port and connect to the internet, wirelessly.
GlobeSurfer® ICON supports numerous features to enable multiple service offerings such as network lock, cell lock, and home-zoning. Over an HSDPA network, GlobeSurfer® ICON enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps. In areas where HSDPA service is not available icon can connect over 3G UMTS at up to 384 kbps, quad-band EDGE/GPRS at up to 247 kbps.
GlobeSurfer® ICON product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globesurfer_icon.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Barcelona - Spain, February 13, 2006 - Busy mobile professionals, whether roaming internationally or on a short local journey, need simple and fast mobile access to their email and office intranet applications. With these users in mind, Option (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPVY) has developed a world first HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE & Wi-Fi combo data card: the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA. The data card is currently shipping to T-Mobile Germany in support of its commercial launch and roll-out plan.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “Our ‘combo’ strategy continues to be very successful. Since we announced our first combo data card in October 2003 at ITU Telecom World Geneva we have launched in total 5 data cards integrating the latest mobile wireless technologies while adding WLAN/Wi-Fi connectivity. Our technology expertise in developing this type of data card is renowned and appreciated by our customers. We continue to see strong demand for this type of products.”
Capable of connecting at speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps over HSDPA and up to 54 Mbps over Wi-Fi the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA is the fastest wireless data card commercially available.
In areas where HSDPA coverage may not be available the wireless data card will fall back to 3G UMTS at 384 Kbps; EDGE at 247 Kbps or GPRS. Unique to Option’s range of GlobeTrotter FUSION data cards, when combined with Option’s GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager client software, is the automatic selection of the fastest connection available be it wide area HSDPA or local area Wi-Fi.
With this announcement Option extends its range of Combo data cards to five: GlobeTrotter COMBO, GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE, GlobeTrotter FUSION QUAD, GlobeTrotter FUSION+ ‘HSDPA Ready’ and GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA.
In addition to the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA wireless data card, Option offers its premier GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager software enabling 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 user will be able to seamlessly roam between access technologies 3G, 2G and WLAN with automatic authentication using GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA inbuilt support for PC Smart Card and EAP-SIM.
More product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globetrotter_fusionhsdpa.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Barcelona, Spain - February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today extends its global leadership in wireless data solutions with the announcement of the GlobeTrotter GT MAX, the world’s first tri-band HSDPA / 3G UMTS Wireless Data Card.
The GlobeTrotter GT MAX is the first of a new breed of wireless data card featuring Option’s unique and patented multi-band flip-out integrated antenna design meaning that GT MAX once inserted in a laptop may be operated by simply deploying the flip out antenna. For ease and convenience the antenna is retracted for briefcase or laptop carrier bag transport without the need to remove the wireless data card from the laptop.
In addition to the innovative antenna design the GlobeTrotter GT MAX is the world’s first wireless data card supporting all of the commercial HSDPA/3G UMTS networks available today. The GT MAX features Tri-band HSDPA/3G UMTS on 850/1900 & 2100 MHz bands as well as Quad band EDGE/GPRS on 850/900/1800 & 1900 bands.
Jan Callewaert, CEO of Option: “In launching the world’s first commercial tri-band HSDPA wireless data product, Option has demonstrated that not only is it at the leading edge of technology, but also in the aesthetic and ergonomic design of our products. The unique design of our GT MAX with its patented flip-out antenna is a remarkable engineering achievement, as is its ability to provide broadband wireless access across the globe from North & South America, through Europe, the Middle East & Africa, across to the Far East and Australasian continents. We have been able to realize a superb product that will have global appeal amongst our customer base.”
Commercial shipments of GlobeTrotter GT MAX commence before the end of this quarter. The GlobeTrotter GT MAX is the fifth commercial HSDPA product from Option.
The GlobeTrotter GT MAX wireless data card is available with Option’s GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager. This enables users to enjoy fast, simple and easy access to wireless data whilst hiding the complexity of the underlying wireless technologies from the user. In conjunction with Option’s mobile IP solution “Unlimited Connection”, users can seamlessly roam between 3G, 2G and WLAN access technologies with automatic authentication using the data card’s inbuilt support for PC Smart Card and EAP-SIM.
More product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globetrotter_gt_max.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, February 6, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that TMN has chosen the Company’s wireless broadband router, the GlobeSurfer® 3G. The network operator will market the GlobeSurfer® 3G as part of its mobile Internet access solutions tailored to individual and professional needs.
TMN is a subsidiary of the Portugal Telecom Group and the leading mobile telecommunications provider in Portugal, with more than 5 million costumers. Investing in the ongoing diversification of solutions, TMN makes technological innovation and orientation towards the client drive its overall activity, supported by constant investments to strengthen the network coverage and the quality of service. TMN has a history of leading the mobile market in Portugal with attractive, advanced services.
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 this emerging mobile market.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 30, 2006 – Following the announcement of the GTM351E embedded wireless module on December 29 2005, Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, confirms that it has signed a supply agreement with Acer Inc., with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan and Europe’s leading notebook vendor. Shipments of the GTM351E are planned to support the commercial roll-out of a new range of wireless enabled notebook products from Acer.
According to IDC (Personal Computing in Western Europe, Forecast and Analysis update, 2005 – 2009 – December 2005), Acer is the leading notebook vendor within EMEA with a market share of 18.6 %. IDC further comments that within the notebook market “Acer maintained leadership - for the fifth consecutive quarter due to the successful deployment of a very aggressive expansion strategy across the continent.”
The Option GTM351E embedded wireless module is the ideal solution for an IT manufacturer embedding broadband Wide Area wireless connectivity into laptop, portable, and mobile devices. The GTM351E provides HSDPA 1.8 Mbps, UMTS WCDMA in the 2100 MHz band and EDGE/GPRS in four bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), thereby ensuring worldwide network compatibility bringing embedded broadband wireless Internet connectivity to mobile devices.
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Mobilkom Austria rolls out HSDPA network with Option data cards
Leuven - Belgium, January 23, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, continues the successful execution of its HSDPA strategy with the announcement and initial shipment of a new product within its HSDPA portfolio - the GlobeTrotter HSDPA.
The new data card delivers speeds of up to 1.8Mbps over an HSDPA network - 4,5 times faster than maximum data rates available over 3G UMTS. If no HSDPA network is available the data card will automatically establish the fastest possible connection using 3G, EDGE or GPRS. The GlobeTrotter HSDPA is already shipping in support of the commercial roll-out plans of network operators in EMEA.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option, said: “The launch of this product is a key step in Option’s strategy to support its operator partners and their customers through this technological change. Where HSDPA has already been launched, our new data card delivers the highest possible mobile data rates ‘out-of-the-box’. Where 3G operators are still deploying the enhanced technology, our ‘HSDPA-Ready’ cards empower operators to maintain their wireless broadband marketing and sales momentum without disadvantaging their customers.”
Serving nearly 3.4 million customers, Mobilkom Austria will become one of the first operators to offer Option’s new HSDPA data card when it starts retailing the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card Broadband (HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE) today. At the same time, a free software upgrade to HSDPA will be made available (at www.A1.net/hsdpaupgrade) to any Mobilkom’s customers who previously purchased the UMTS+EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ card.
Announced in September 2005, Option’s ‘GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE HSDPA-Ready’ and ‘GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA-Ready’ data cards have helped sustain strong demand for wireless data solutions by empowering new users to enjoy the benefits of 3G safe in the knowledge that their data card can be upgraded simply when HSDPA becomes available from their operator.
As soon as an operator is ready to launch HSDPA within its territory, a simple firmware upgrade, made available via a website, is sufficient to release the full power of 1.8 Mbps HSDPA.
For more product information:
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/overview.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 19, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Mr. Lawrence M. Levy and Mr. Jan Loeber have agreed to join its Board of Directors, as new members, expanding the company’s board size from four to six.
Final appointment of the new directors will be subject to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Friday March 31, 2006. Mr. Levy will act as a non-independent member, whilst Mr. Loeber’s future mandate will have the status of an independent Board member.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Lawrence and Jan. Our Company will benefit from their extensive experience in international business and finance while working with high growth companies in the telecom industry. Their insights should further strengthen our global market leadership. We look forward to a productive collaboration focused on increasing shareholder value.”
Mr. Lawrence Levy, 67, has been, and continues as, Senior Counsel at Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP. For more than 30 years before that, Mr. Levy had been a partner at Brown Rudnick, specializing in Corporate and Securities Law. Since 1998, Mr. Levy has divided his time between Brown Rudnick’s Boston and London offices, dealing with cross-border issues and transactions for the firm’s clients. Mr. Levy is also a Director of Hologic, Inc., (Nasdaq: HOLX), located in Bedford, Massachusetts. Mr. Levy received a B.A. from Yale University and a LLB from Harvard Law School.
Mr. Jan Loeber, 62, is a member of the Board of Directors of Tele2 (TEL2_A.ST) in Sweden, an advisor to the CEO of Interxion, BV in The Netherlands and Chairman of Newfound Comm (Boston) and Vino Via (NL). Previously Mr. Loeber held leadership positions at a number of companies as the founding Managing Director of GTS Carrier Services (later Ebone) in Brussels, Managing Director of Bankers Trust's Global Telecom Merchant Banking Group, founding Managing Director of Unitel (merged with Mercury one-2-one and acquired by T-Mobile) in London and Group President of Nokia Americas. He has also held other senior management positions at ITT Europe in Brussels and at AT&T (Bell Laboratories) in New Jersey. Mr. Loeber received his B.S. in Physics from Michigan Technological University and his M.S. in business administration from George Washington University.
Option’s continuing Board Directors are: Jan Callewaert, Founder and Chairman Option - Triakon N.V. represented by Lucien De Schamphelaere, Board member of Melexis N.V. (Euronext: MELE) - Arnoud De Meyer, Professor of Technology Management and Deputy Dean at INSEAD and Board member of Dassault Systems S.A. (Euronext: DSY.PA, NASDAQ DASTY) and - Philip Vermeulen, Advisor and Director of various companies active in the information technology business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Jan Callewaert, CEO or 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 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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 19, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Mr. Lawrence M. Levy and Mr. Jan Loeber have agreed to join its Board of Directors, as new members, expanding the company’s board size from four to six.
Final appointment of the new directors will be subject to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Friday March 31, 2006. Mr. Levy will act as a non-independent member, whilst Mr. Loeber’s future mandate will have the status of an independent Board member.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Lawrence and Jan. Our Company will benefit from their extensive experience in international business and finance while working with high growth companies in the telecom industry. Their insights should further strengthen our global market leadership. We look forward to a productive collaboration focused on increasing shareholder value.”
Mr. Lawrence Levy, 67, has been, and continues as, Senior Counsel at Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP. For more than 30 years before that, Mr. Levy had been a partner at Brown Rudnick, specializing in Corporate and Securities Law. Since 1998, Mr. Levy has divided his time between Brown Rudnick’s Boston and London offices, dealing with cross-border issues and transactions for the firm’s clients. Mr. Levy is also a Director of Hologic, Inc., (Nasdaq: HOLX), located in Bedford, Massachusetts. Mr. Levy received a B.A. from Yale University and a LLB from Harvard Law School.
Mr. Jan Loeber, 62, is a member of the Board of Directors of Tele2 (TEL2_A.ST) in Sweden, an advisor to the CEO of Interxion, BV in The Netherlands and Chairman of Newfound Comm (Boston) and Vino Via (NL). Previously Mr. Loeber held leadership positions at a number of companies as the founding Managing Director of GTS Carrier Services (later Ebone) in Brussels, Managing Director of Bankers Trust's Global Telecom Merchant Banking Group, founding Managing Director of Unitel (merged with Mercury one-2-one and acquired by T-Mobile) in London and Group President of Nokia Americas. He has also held other senior management positions at ITT Europe in Brussels and at AT&T (Bell Laboratories) in New Jersey. Mr. Loeber received his B.S. in Physics from Michigan Technological University and his M.S. in business administration from George Washington University.
Option’s continuing Board Directors are: Jan Callewaert, Founder and Chairman Option - Triakon N.V. represented by Lucien De Schamphelaere, Board member of Melexis N.V. (Euronext: MELE) - Arnoud De Meyer, Professor of Technology Management and Deputy Dean at INSEAD and Board member of Dassault Systems S.A. (Euronext: DSY.PA, NASDAQ DASTY) and - Philip Vermeulen, Advisor and Director of various companies active in the information technology business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Jan Callewaert, CEO or 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 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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 18, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that SmarTone-Vodafone has selected the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD wireless data card, providing its mobile customers with access to broadband wireless data services wherever they travel worldwide. The product is customized to the exacting requirements of the operator. This latest supply agreement extends Option’s long-standing relationship with Vodafone into a region the world’s leading international operator group considers to be strategically important.
SmarTone-Vodafone is Hong Kong's leading mobile services brand with more than 1 million customers. SmarTone-Vodafone is a GSM operator and a 3G services provider. The commercial launch of 3G-enabled services at the end of 2004 for both consumers and business users is a key milestone in its quest for long-term growth through multimedia services. SmarTone-Vodafone is the marketing brand for SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited following the signing of a Partner Network Agreement with Vodafone Group Plc. The dual brand was officially launched in April 2005. Established in 1992, the company was the first operator to launch GSM mobile services in Asia in 1993 and the first in Hong Kong to introduce automatic international roaming.
Option’s GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD is the world’s first 5-band broadband wireless data card combining in a single PC data card, 3G UMTS at 2100 MHz for EMEA markets and Quad band GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz for worldwide markets.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - België, Januari 11, 2005 - De titel ‘Manager van het Jaar 2005’ wordt toegekend aan Jan Callewaert (49), oprichter, bezieler en patron van de beursgenoteerde snelgroeier in mobiele communicatie, Option.
De Manager van het Jaar is een initiatief van het weekblad Trends in samenwerking met Kanaal Z en de Vlaamse Management Associatie.
De beslissing van de jury kwam er na een uitgebreide en spannende discussie. Voorzitter Lutgart Van Den Berghe: “Een laureaat die twee belangrijke eigenschappen in zich combineert: een pure entrepreneurial drive en het nodige managementtalent om een bedrijf in een doorgroeifase en snel evoluerende markt verder te begeleiden.” Jan Callewaert is volgens de jury een ondernemer die zijn aangeboren drive als entrepreneur, zijn passie, talent en gedrevenheid om deals af te sluiten en zelf alle touwtjes in handen te houden op een opmerkelijke manier aan het converteren is naar het model van de manager/coach. Er zijn niet veel bedrijfsleiders die daarin slagen. Option hertimmerde zijn hele HR structuur op een grondige wijze en versterkt het middenkader. De metamorfose van een doorgroeibedrijf dat (gezonde) chaos moet laten wijken voor efficiëntie, structuren en delegatie van de macht. De jury hield bij de selectie van de laureaat in het bijzonder rekening met de volgende criteria: de complexiteit van de opdracht, de dimensie waarin het bedrijf opereert, de diverse klantengroepen en marktsegmenten die worden bediend, de financiële prestaties in de voorbije periode en de uitstraling van de manager naar zijn onmiddellijke omgeving en buitenwereld. De procedure voor de hele selectie verliep als volgt. De jury kwam onder het voorzitterschap van Lutgart Van Den Berghe (Belgisch Bestuursinstituut), drie maal bijeen. In eerste instantie om de shortlist van tien kandidaten samen te stellen, dan om _ op basis van de kiesprocedure waarin de lezers van Trends hun stem konden uitbrengen _ de drie genomineerden aan te wijzen en daarna voor de finale selectie van de laureaat.
De jury voor de editie 2005 was samengesteld uit 16 leden. Vier vertegenwoordigers van de Trends-redactie (Frans Crols, Piet Depuydt, An Goovaerts en Luc Huysmans), de drie voorbije Managers van het Jaar (Ajit Shetty, Martine Reynaers en Jef Colruyt), Rik Duyck (voorzitter Vlaamse Management Associatie) en acht onafhankelijken (Lutgart Van Den Berghe, Jozef Lievens, Johan Van Overtveldt, Marc Buelens, Geert Noels, Herman Daems, Jean Van den Eynde, Rita Aerts).
Voor alle bijkomende informatie kan u contact opnemen met Piet Depuydt, hoofdredacteur Trends (secretariaat Sara Crois, 02/702.48.00 of sara.crois@trends.be).
Jan Callewaert (OPTION)
(Copyright, Trends, 12 januari 2006)
Zijn bedrijf ging van de top naar het ravijn _ en terug. Jarenlang hielden vooral het charisma en de koppigheid van Jan Callewaert Option in de lucht. Maar vandaag is Option ook gewoon een goed geleid bedrijf. De omzetdoelstelling van Option staat binnenkort op de bedrijfsshirts: ‘5 by 8’ _ vijfhonderd miljoen omzet tegen eind 2008. Een kleine twintig keer hoger dan de omzet in 2002, het jaar dat Option afsloot met een beurskoers van 1 euro. Vorige week ging de koers boven 70 euro. Vanwaar die ommekeer? Vrienden van Jan Callewaert, zoals directeur Jan De Schepper van Telindus, schrijven de ommekeer toe aan zijn drive, zijn entrepreneurship, zijn vermogen om “met zijn twee voeten van de grond te gaan”, gekoppeld aan een sterk technisch inzicht. “Hij heeft de typische kenmerken van een start-up in zijn organisatie kunnen behouden: passie, talent, entrepreneurship, snelheid. Dat is sterk. Door zijn focus op een bepaald marktsegment is hij heel scherp kunnen gaan. En hij is altijd zelf voor de grote deals gegaan. Dat is de klasse van de entrepreneur: een heel nauw contact met de markt, geen ivoren torens, geen zware organisatie.”
Een man van alle seizoenen
Omgekeerd zaten in 1998-2002 de omstandigheden tegen. Option was na zijn beursintroductie tegen 10 dollar naar 68 dollar doorgeschoten op basis van zijn eerste mobiele product, een gsm-adapter voor dataverkeer. Maar de Nokia’s en Ericssons introduceerden zelf adapters. En er was geen vraag naar het antwoord van Option: een eerste gsm-op-een-datakaart. De volgende technologiegolf _ mobiel internet via GPRS _ zou nog drie jaar op zich laten wachten. Bij gebrek aan vernieuwing in zijn kernproduct, stelde Option zijn ontwikkelingscapaciteit veilig met maatwerk voor derden _ Compaq, Handspring, het Chinese Xoceco. Geen enkel van die contracten kreeg een lucratief vervolg. De langverwachte GPRS-kaart, de Globetrotter, begin 2001 voorgesteld op muziek van Mission Impossible, was een nachtmerrie. De kaart stond niet op punt en _ even erg _ de kwaliteit van de GPRS-standaard zelf bleek zeer te verschillen volgens operator. Huisbankier Fortis adviseerde beleggers om Option te dumpen. De investeringsmaatschappij Gimv, bevriende investeerders en vooral Jan Callewaert zelf hielden het bedrijf recht met miljoenen verse euro’s. Toch werden dat jaar de maatregelen uitgevoerd die de huidige groei onderbouwen: een topklasse research- en ontwikkelingscapaciteit verwerven voor de snelst mogelijke time-to-market; de productie overdragen aan outsourcer Jabil (maar een efficiënte kwaliteitscontrole organiseren); voeling houden met de markt door het productontwerp in nauw overleg te doen met de mobiele operatoren; marketing en verkoop in handen geven van die operatoren en ze een minimumafname laten garanderen; niet investeren in een eigen merk. De versterking van het management in 2001 bracht rust. Vooral Bernard Schaballie, de nieuwe engineeringdirecteur, overgekomen van Telindus, bleek een zegen. Option werd geleidelijk een klokvaste leverancier. En ook privé bracht 2001 geluk. Jan Callewaert werd voor het eerst vader _ van een dochter, Laurence, “mijn lady” noemt hij haar.
Zoveel mogelijk communicatie op één kaart
De doorbraak was het contract in november 2002 met Vodafone, de eerste operator die echt werk maakte van mobiele data. Toen Vodafone marcheerde, moesten de anderen volgen. Option legt er zich op toe om zoveel mogelijk communicatiemogelijkheden op één kaart te verenigen _ een strategie waarin de Amerikaanse concurrent Novatel niet geloofde _ en komt sinds halfweg 2003 geregeld met primeurs: wifi, GPRS en tri-band-gsm op één kaart, dan een combinatie van UMTS, GPRS en wifi (met Swisscom), vervolgens, als de gsm-verbetering Edge doorbreekt: Edge, GPRS en wifi. En nu recent, de ‘HSDPA Ready’-kaarten, die alleen een softwareupgrade vergen om de aangekondigde verbetering van UMTS _ HSDPA _ te kunnen gebruiken. De combinatie van normen laat operatoren toe om Option à la carte in te passen in hun investeringen. De klantenlijst is intussen langer dan zeventig, met onder meer China Mobile, T-Mobile, Telefonica en het Amerikaanse Cingular _ naast Vodafone uiteraard.
Op het terrein van de grote jongens
Het lijkt een paradox, maar al die tijd is de markt voor mobiele datakaarten zich veel trager blijven ontwikkelen dan verwacht. Option is met zijn 30-40 procent marktaandeel een grote vis in een kleine poel. Dat verandert nu. In december 2005 demonstreerde Option (en enkele dagen later Samsung) dat zijn nieuwe HSDPA-kaarten met hun 3,6 megabit per seconde de snelheid van een vaste DSL-verbinding van Belgacom kunnen evenaren. De mobilofoon wordt daarmee voor het eerst technisch een werkelijk alternatief voor de vaste lijn, al blijft de commerciële toepassing nog even uit. “Eind dit jaar vriendelijke tests, in 2007 de echte roll-out. De 7,2 Mbps-versie gaat in 2008 commercieel,” voorspelt Jan Callewaert. Zo verbreedt de markt. Plots speelt Option op het terrein van de grote jongens. Fabrikanten van draagbare computers bouwen nu al lokale draadloze wifi-netwerking in en zullen ook mobielecommunicatiemodules inbouwen, voorspelt Jan Callewaert. Tot nog toe is dat een projectbusiness, die Option _ wijs geworden sinds 1998-2002 _ aan Sierra Wireless overlaat.
Voetbal, skiën, wandelen, stilte…
Wat is genieten voor een 200 km/uur-type als Jan Callewaert? De groei van Option en zijn medewerkers natuurlijk. Maar ook het historische complex Tafelrond, naast het Leuvense stadhuis, dat Jan Callewaert persoonlijk in juni 2005 kocht voor 6,4 miljoen euro. En kennelijk ook de ambitieuze tweedeklasser Oud Heverlee Leuven, waar Jan Callewaert Option vorig jaar als hoofdsponsor binnenloodste (hij is geregeld bij de thuiswedstrijden te zien). Maar ook de antithese: de wandelingen met vrouw en dochter in Heverlee-Bos, dat naast zijn landhuis ligt, het diner met de vrienden, zijn geliefde bergen _ en geconcentreerd werken in stilte. “Speciaal daarvoor heb ik een stek in het Leuvense stadscentrum,” verklapt hij. En lezen. Boeken over management en technologie. “Door bij te lezen weet ik wat ik wil, en ook wat ik niet wil.” Dat laatste gold voor de inbouwmodules. “Soms is het beter niet de eerste te zijn. We hebben doelbewust negen maanden gewacht, al was dat op de tanden bijten.” Tot de industrie zich op een nieuwe formaatfactor standaardiseerde. Door meteen daarop in te pikken, springt Option nu over Sierra heen met een “design win” bij een “belangrijke informaticafabrikant”. Option stapte in november 2005 ook in een tweede nieuwe specialiteit. Als UMTS de rol van de DSL-verbinding overneemt, ontstaat er behoefte aan routers om verschillende draadloze lokale netwerkgebruikers een UMTS-verbinding te laten delen. Daarvoor nam Option in november 2005 de routeractiviteiten en -patenten van het Zweedse Possio over. Option is niet eerst op die markt. In september 2005 bracht Cisco/Linksys al een UMTS-router uit, in samenwerking met… Vodafone. Mogelijk koopt Option nog meer technologiebedrijfjes om hiaten in te vullen, vermoedt analist Eric De Graaf van Petercam in Amsterdam. “Option zat bij het jaareinde op meer dan 50 miljoen euro cash.”
Hoog mikken: één derde van de wereldmarkt
De Leuvenaren versterken zich intussen om in die Nieuwe Wereld mee te spelen, ook in Azië. Callewaert: “We trekken nu een middenkader aan _ in legal, human resources, verkoop, engineering, marketing en business development _ dat absoluut nodig is om te kunnen delegeren en informatie terug te krijgen.” Het zevenkoppige directiecomité _ onveranderd sinds 2002 _ blijft ongewijzigd. “Je moet dat team de kans geven om mee te groeien met het bedrijf. Dat zijn uitdagingen, maar ze nemen ze waar. Dat is het mooie daaraan. Anderen daarin parachuteren zou de ambities fnuiken,” zegt Callewaert. Analisten volgen met argusogen de marges die Option realiseert _ 41,3% in het derde kwartaal. Zolang de technologie snel genoeg evolueert _ en dat is het geval _ kunnen die hoog blijven. Option blijft mikken op één derde van de wereldmarkt in datakaarten, die door ABI Research op ruim 8 miljoen stuks wordt geschat in 2008. Voor inbouwmodules zullen pc-fabrikanten altijd rijpere technologie gebruiken _ ze willen geen pc’s terugkrijgen wegens één module. Maar precies omwille van dat streven naar betrouwbaarheid denkt Jan Callewaert dat Option zich daar, met zijn trackrecord, zijn grondige kennis van de technologie en zijn relatie met de operatoren, moet kunnen doorzetten. Jan Callewaert geeft grif toe dat zijn bedrijf _ zoals de concurrenten _ voor zijn UMTS-technologie erg afhankelijk is van patentengrossier Qualcomm, dat de basischipsets levert. “Maar dit is meer dan wat producten van Qualcomm inkopen en wat engineering doen. Eigenlijk zijn de instapbarrières enorm.” Met twaalf tot achttien maanden vooruitzicht op wat de operatoren van plan zijn, is Option al halfweg voor zijn “5 by 8”.
Investment
We will not invest in any of the following areas:
Employment
We will not engage in any of the following activities:
Discrimination
We will not discriminate against our employees in any of the following areas:
Purchasing
We will put into place checks, controls and procedures to ensure all our suppliers and sub-contractors:
Prevention of Corruption
We will include in our distribution and supply agreements anti-bribery standard clauses. Our employment policies outline measures that can and will be taken in order to prevent corruption. Option®, as a public company and a member of the ETHIBEL Sustainability index, respects the Corporate Governance rules.
- communication of our policies both internally and externally
- commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance
- taking account of the input of staff, customers, shareholders, government, local authorities, interested third parties and the general public
- awareness and training on environmental issues so as to create a better environment for all through the reduction, recycling and reuse of waste, optimum usage of resources and elimination of polluting releases into the environment
- compliance with all applicable regulations and legislation
- prevention of pollution
- manufacture in a safe environment of products supplied to customer specifications and requirements
Our management is committed to providing the resources necessary to ensure that the company’s environmental objectives and targets are achieved. Option has done substantial efforts to align customer requests for customization while lowering its ecological footprint. This resulted in our offering of environmentally friendly and highly customizable packaging. If you want to read more on our packaging, click here.Financial Calendar
Full Year 2021 results and annual report 2021:
Friday April 29, 2022- before market trading
Half year 2022 results & Interim Financial report:
Friday September 23, 2022 - before market trading
Annual Shareholders Meeting: Tuesday May 31, 2022 - 10h00 CET - Gaston Geenslaan 14, Leuven (Belgium).
Jaarresultaten 2021 en jaarverslag 2021:
vrijdag 29 April, 2022 – voor beurstijd
Half jaar 2022 resultaten en halfjaarlijks financieel verslag:
vrijdag 23 september, 2022 - voor beurstijd
Algemene aandeelhoudersvergadering: dinsdag 31 mei, 2022 - 10u00 CET - Gaston Geenslaan 14, Leuven (België).
Financial News 2015 onwards - see Reports & Publications
Financial News 2015 / Financieel Nieuws 2015
Financial News 2014 / Financieel Nieuws 2014
Financial News 2013 / Financieel Nieuws 2013
Financial News 2012 / Financieel Nieuws 2012
Financial News 2011 / Financieel Nieuws 2011
Financial News 2010 / Financieel Nieuws 2010
Financial News 2009 / Financieel Nieuws 2009
Financial News 2008 / Financieel Nieuws 2008
Financial News 2007 / Financieel Nieuws 2007
Financial News 2006 / Financieel Nieuws 2006
Financial News 2005 / Financieel Nieuws 2005
Financial News 2004 / Financieel Nieuws 2004
Financial News 2003 / Financieel Nieuws 2003
Financial News 2002 / Financieel Nieuws 2002
Statutory Accounts - Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2020
Statutory Accounts - Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2019
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2018
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2017
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2016
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2015
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2014
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2013
Statutory accounts 2005 to 2012 - see Shareholders' meetings - Ordinary General meetings 2005 to 2012.
GELIJKWAARDIGE INFORMATIEVERSTREKKING
IN HET KADER VAN DE TOELATING TOT VERHANDELING
VAN 1.071.255.834 BIJKOMENDE AANDELEN
(artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006)
Op grond van artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Wet van 26 juni 2006 op de openbare aanbieding van beleggingsinstrumenten en de toelating tot de verhandeling op een gereglementeerde markt, wordt de onderstaande gelijkwaardige informatie ter beschikking gesteld :
GELIJKWAARDIGE INFORMATIEVERSTREKKING
IN HET KADER VAN DE TOELATING TOT VERHANDELING
VAN 116.464.000 BIJKOMENDE AANDELEN - 27 juni 2017
(artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006)
Bijlage A - Bijzonder verslag van de raad van bestuur overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage B - Verslag van de commissaris overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage B2 - Brief Deloitte Correctie Inbreng in natura
Bijlage C - Akte kapitaalverhoging
Bijlage D - Coördinatie statuten Option NV
Bijlage E - Corporate Governance Charter Option NV
Bijlage F - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2013
Bijlage G - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2014
Bijlage H - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2015
Bijlage I - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2016
Bijlage J – Halfjaarcijfers 2016
Bijlage K - Persberichten
GELIJKWAARDIGE INFORMATIEVERSTREKKING
IN HET KADER VAN DE TOELATING TOT VERHANDELING
VAN 82.677.545 BIJKOMENDE AANDELEN
(artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006)
Bijlage A - Bijzonder verslag van de raad van bestuur overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage B - Verslag van de commissaris overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage C - Akte kapitaalverhoging
Bijlage D - Coördinatie statuten Option NV
Bijlage E - Corporate Governance Charter Option NV
Bijlage F - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2013
Bijlage G - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2014
Bijlage H - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2015
Bijlage I - Halfjaarcijfers 2016
Bijlage J – Jaarcijfers 2016
Bijlage K - Persberichten
KAPITAALSTRUCTUUR CRESCENT NV
Laatste update: november 2021
CAPITAL STRUCTURE CRESCENT NV
Last update: November 2021
Transparency filing
In accordance with the requirements of the current legislation on the disclosure of major participations in issuers of which shares are admitted to trading on a ‘regulated market’, are any natural or legal person who, directly or indirectly, acquire or resign shares or other voting granting financial instruments of the company, whether or not they represent capital, compulsory by the law applicable at that time, are obliged to inform both the Company and the FSMA of the number of financial instruments owned as well as the percentage of existing voting rights whenever the voting rights are attached to these financial instruments reach a first time three percent (3%) and then five percent (5%) or a multiple of five percent (5%), exceed or fall below such percentage. The involved shareholders must comply with the statutory requirements and regulations in this regard.
Overeenkomstig de voorschriften van de vigerende wetgeving inzake de`openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in emittenten waarvan aandelen zijn toegelaten tot de verhandeling op een gereglementeerde markt', is elke natuurlijke of rechtspersoon die, rechtstreeks of onrechtstreeks, aandelen of andere stemrecht verlenende financiële instrumenten van de vennootschap, die al dan niet het kapitaal vertegenwoordigen, verwerft of afstaat, verplicht in de omstandigheden voorzien door de op dat ogenblik toepasselijke wetgeving, zowel de vennootschap als de FSMA kennis te geven van het aantal financiële instrumenten dat hij bezit, alsook het percentage van de bestaande stemrechten, telkens wanneer de stemrechten verbonden aan deze financiële instrumenten een eerste maal drie procent (3%) en vervolgens vijf procent (5%) of een veelvoud van vijf procent (5%) bereiken, overschrijden of beneden zulk percentage zakken. De betrokken aandeelhouders dienen zich te conformeren naar de wettelijke voorschriften ter zake.
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- Declaration of interest / Kennisgeving 2018
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For information dated afterto May 22 2018 - please refer to www.crescent-ventures.com
Voor informatie gedateerd na 22 mei 2018 - raadpleeg www.crescent-ventures.com
Shareholders’ meeting
Ordinary General Meeting - 31 May 2021
Extraordinary General Meeting - 31 March 2021
Convocation Extraordinary General Meeting (including agenda) (NL)
Ordinary General Meeting - 29 May 2020
Extraordinary General Meeting - 20 December 2019
Convocation Extraordinary General Meeting (including agenda) (NL) CORRECTIE (Q NIEUW UIT TE GEVEN AANDELEN)
Ordinary General Meeting - 20 June 2019
Extraordinary General Meeting - 20 June 2019
Ordinary General Meeting - 15 June 2018
Extraordinary General Meeting - 22 May 2018
Ordinary General Meeting – 31 May 2018
Extraordinary General Meeting - 2 May 2018
Extraordinary General Meeting - 30 June 2017
Ordinary General Meeting – 30 June 2017
Extraordinary General Meeting - 12 June 2017
PREVIOUS Shareholder's meetings
Ordinary General Meeting – 31 May 2016
Extraordinary General Meeting - 26 June 2015
Extraordinary General Meeting - 29 May 2015
Ordinary General Meeting – 29 May 2015
Extraordinary General Meeting – 31 May 2013
Official By-Laws in Dutch (PDF), December 2019
Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today reported results for the fourth quarter 2005.
Download Q4 2005 Results UK version
Download Q4 2005 Results NL version
Barcelona, Spain - February 15, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Mobistar, an Orange Group company, has chosen the GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ as the Belgian operator’s first product combining 3G and EDGE technologies in a single PC data card. The data card will support Mobistar’s “Business Everywhere” solution and will be sold as part of the Mobile Office Card product family. The ‘HSDPA-Ready’ technology gives Mobistar’s business customers the additional advantage of a future-proof data card for the upcoming HSDPA 1.8 Mbps services.
Benoît Scheen, Chief Commercial Officer at Mobistar explains: “Option’s GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ card is a real opportunity for Mobistar. We are currently deploying a 3G network which will be upgraded to HSDPA while we are the only operator that already has a coverage of above 99% of the Belgian population with EDGE technology.”
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “We’re very pleased that Mobistar has selected Option’s 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ data card for the Belgian market. Seizing the wireless broadband opportunity will greatly benefit Mobistar and its customers. Moreover, Mobistar is the 5th customer from within the Orange Group. I’m looking forward to a great relationship.”
On a 3G UMTS network, the GlobeTrotter 3G EDGE enables broadband connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Where 3G services are not available the card falls back to EDGE offering data speeds up to 247 kbps. In the absence of EDGE or 3G, reliable and secure data connections can be established over traditional GPRS.
‘HSDPA-Ready’ is a concept unique to Option: when a network operator decides to launch HSDPA services in its territory a simple firmware upgrade, made available via the operator’s website, is sufficient to release the power and speed of HSDPA on the data card. Users can purchase the GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE wireless data card to take advantage of 3G and EDGE technologies now, safe in the knowledge that that the card can easily be upgraded when Mobistar launches HSDPA. Users might otherwise wait for HSDPA and delay their purchase.
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For PR contacts at 3GSM World Congress:
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager, Option
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
Mobistar press office:
Tel +32 495 95 9888
E-mail: press@mail.mobistar.be
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
ABOUT MOBISTAR
Mobistar (Euronext Brussels: MOBB) is one of the main actors in the world of telecommunications in Belgium, active in mobile telephony, fixed telephony, ADSL and on other markets with a strong growth potential (data transmission, etc.). Mobistar is part of the Orange Group which brings together most of the mobile activities of France Telecom.Mobistar is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange. On 31 December 2005 Mobistar counted a total of 2,912,806 active customers for mobile telephony.
GlobalConnect International Data Roaming Plans and Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect Card to Extend Wireless Broadband Service Overseas
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 13, 2006 – Whether sending a business proposal from a restaurant on the Costa del Garraf in Barcelona or accessing the company website while watching surfers “hang ten” along the San Diego coast, Cingular customers will soon be the first in the world to use a single PC modem card to receive some of the fastest wireless broadband connections worldwide.
Next month, Cingular will begin offering customers a one-stop shopping experience for global wireless broadband service. Cingular GlobalConnect features unlimited domestic data usage on the company’s BroadbandConnect and EDGE networks in the United States and 100MB of wireless data usage on networks throughout Asia and Europe. The company will also provide customers with a single LaptopConnect card that connects to multiple wireless data networks in 95 countries. One device. One rate plan. Global coverage.
Cingular GlobalConnect will feature the Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card – the FIRST, commercially available global 3G device of its kind. The card is a tri-band (850/1900/2100 MHz) UMTS/HSDPA (Universal Mobile Telephone System/High Speed Downlink Packet Access) device that has a unique retractable antenna design, making it the world's first UMTS/HSDPA data card that doesn’t need to be removed from the notebook computer during transport. The card uses Cingular’s Communication Manager to access HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS cellular networks and public/private Wi-Fi networks.
Cingular GlobalConnect will offer two international wireless data usage plans – a North American plan ($109.99 for 100MB) for travel within Canada and Mexico, and an Overseas ($139.99 for 100MB) plan – both include unlimited data usage on Cingular’s domestic data networks. These plans will give mobile professionals unprecedented ability to use their laptops to access applications, e-mail and perform other tasks while traveling within the U.S. and abroad. The Overseas plan will provide access in more than two dozen countries, with service planned to be offered in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Spain and other major areas in Asia and Europe. With 45 countries currently offering UMTS service, Cingular expects to provide 3G data roaming capability in additional countries throughout the year.
“The need for broadband connections continues to move from our offices and living rooms to almost anywhere in the world,” said Kris Rinne, chief technology officer for Cingular Wireless. “As more GSM carriers upgrade to UMTS and HSDPA, we see ourselves becoming the travel agents for 3G worldwide.”
“We are delighted to offer Cingular’s customers in the US and overseas this truly innovative product. In today’s world where global travel is now the norm, mobile professionals demand instant and speedy access to their corporate applications and information, any time; anywhere,” said Jan Callewaert, chief executive officer for Option. “The unveiling of the GT MAX today further demonstrates Option’s leading market position in both ergonomic design and wireless data technology.”
Cingular Wireless was the first carrier in the world to make HSDPA service widely available to customers. The BroadbandConnect network is available in 16 major metropolitan areas in the United States, covering 52 cities. The company will extend coverage to most major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. in 2006. Customers can use the new Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card in these markets to receive average download speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second, with bursts to more than one megabit per second.
When Cingular customers travel outside of 3G UMTS/HSDPA coverage in the United States, the GlobeTrotter GT MAX Laptop Connect card can be used to access the Cingular EDGE network (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) in more than 13,000 cities and towns, and connect to either EDGE or GPRS data service in more than 95 countries worldwide. Customers accessing UMTS services in other countries should expect to receive average download speeds between 200-300kbps, depending on the network accessed.
Cingular’s BroadbandConnect service uses HSDPA/UMTS technology -- the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers. Wireless carriers offering UMTS, EDGE or GPRS can upgrade their networks to HSDPA and be assured there is a continued evolutionary path to faster speeds and more advanced services.
The Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card will be available for $99.99 when customers purchase a two-year unlimited BroadbandConnect contract or a one-year GlobalConnect plan.
Option is showcasing the GlobeTrotter GT MAX LaptopConnect card in its booth at this year’s GSM World Congress show this week in Barcelona. Cingular customers can receive more information about the company’s LaptopConnect cards by visiting www.cingular.com/laptopconnect or on the company’s BroadbandConnect service by visiting www.cingular.com/broadbandconnect.
ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 54 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc., (NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER (SM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover (SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com. Get Cingular Wireless press releases e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://www.cingular.com/newsroom.
ABOUT OPTION
Option NV (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), 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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland. More information on Option can be found at www.option.com.
Barcelona, Spain - February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today unveils the GlobeSurfer® HSDPA, the second member within its fixed-wireless product family aimed at delivering flexible wireless broadband connectivity to Small Offices, Home Office and Mobile Office environments. The GlobeSurfer® HSDPA is the fastest broadband wireless router available today and enables the user to establish an instant hotspot with a speed of up to 1.8 Mbps over an HSDPA connection and share this connection with multiple users.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “We consider the fixed-wireless market important for our company and our network operator customers. The GlobeSurfer® HSDPA complements Option’s GlobeSurfer® 3G wireless router, launched in October 2005 and being marketed by O2 in Germany and TMN in Portugal. Bringing HSDPA technology to our wireless routers will further increase the market potential for this type of product and will further enable our customers to fully take advantage of their ongoing HSDPA deployments”.
Designed for ease-of-use, and simplicity of installation, the versatile GlobeSurfer® HSDPA is ideally suited to Small Office and Home Office environments where it can be shared by multiple users. However, comprehensive support and remote administration features combined with user-authentication capabilities make it a flexible and cost-effective solution to the challenge of providing reliable and secure data connectivity to Mobile or Temporary Offices.
The GlobeSurfer® HSDPA also opens up opportunities for public transport operators to add value for their own business customers by providing mobile hotspots in taxis, coaches, trains and ferries. It can also be used as a back-up, or disaster recovery solution, for traditional wired networking and fixed lines.
GlobeSurfer® HSDPA product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globesurfer_3G_HSDPA.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Powered and connected through desktop or laptop USB port
Barcelona, Spain - February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announces GlobeSurfer® ICON a new breed of wireless device that delivers simple and fast wireless broadband connectivity for consumer or business applications whether at home or at work. With its DSL comparable data speed and zero-installation, the GlobeSurfer® ICON connects, and is powered, through any Desktop or Laptop USB port. The GlobeSurfer® ICON opens up the potential for Option’s mobile network operator customers to enter the fixed wireless convergence market.
In many countries fixed line Internet services are restricted to slow 56K dial-up, slightly faster but expensive ISDN services, or very limited ADSL availability. As the footprint of HSDPA and 3G UMTS networks expand, wireless operators are able to now provide services where other technologies fail to reach.
Jan Callewaert, CEO at Option: “GlobeSurfer® ICON is designed to take advantage of the available high speed HSDPA/3G networks whilst offering the consumer a true plug ‘n play experience. This is a promising market segment and one which we believe will be of major importance. In just four months, we have successfully brought a portfolio of three pioneering fixed-wireless products to market. With GlobeSurfer® ICON we affirm Option’s continued commitment to product execution by bringing innovation combined with leading edge technology for the benefit of our customers and in turn their clientele.”
Using patented technology, GlobeSurfer® ICON is truly plug ‘n play with zero user intervention. This means no user install, no application or driver CD. Available for mobile operators to supply ‘off-the-shelf’, GlobeSurfer® ICON can be tailored with pre-configured network settings providing virtually instantaneous broadband access to Internet, email, instant messaging and video conferencing applications. All the user needs is to do is simply plug GlobeSurfer® ICON into an available USB port and connect to the internet, wirelessly.
GlobeSurfer® ICON supports numerous features to enable multiple service offerings such as network lock, cell lock, and home-zoning. Over an HSDPA network, GlobeSurfer® ICON enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps. In areas where HSDPA service is not available icon can connect over 3G UMTS at up to 384 kbps, quad-band EDGE/GPRS at up to 247 kbps.
GlobeSurfer® ICON product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globesurfer_icon.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Barcelona - Spain, February 13, 2006 - Busy mobile professionals, whether roaming internationally or on a short local journey, need simple and fast mobile access to their email and office intranet applications. With these users in mind, Option (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPVY) has developed a world first HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE & Wi-Fi combo data card: the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA. The data card is currently shipping to T-Mobile Germany in support of its commercial launch and roll-out plan.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “Our ‘combo’ strategy continues to be very successful. Since we announced our first combo data card in October 2003 at ITU Telecom World Geneva we have launched in total 5 data cards integrating the latest mobile wireless technologies while adding WLAN/Wi-Fi connectivity. Our technology expertise in developing this type of data card is renowned and appreciated by our customers. We continue to see strong demand for this type of products.”
Capable of connecting at speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps over HSDPA and up to 54 Mbps over Wi-Fi the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA is the fastest wireless data card commercially available.
In areas where HSDPA coverage may not be available the wireless data card will fall back to 3G UMTS at 384 Kbps; EDGE at 247 Kbps or GPRS. Unique to Option’s range of GlobeTrotter FUSION data cards, when combined with Option’s GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager client software, is the automatic selection of the fastest connection available be it wide area HSDPA or local area Wi-Fi.
With this announcement Option extends its range of Combo data cards to five: GlobeTrotter COMBO, GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE, GlobeTrotter FUSION QUAD, GlobeTrotter FUSION+ ‘HSDPA Ready’ and GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA.
In addition to the GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA wireless data card, Option offers its premier GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager software enabling 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 user will be able to seamlessly roam between access technologies 3G, 2G and WLAN with automatic authentication using GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA inbuilt support for PC Smart Card and EAP-SIM.
More product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globetrotter_fusionhsdpa.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Barcelona, Spain - February 13, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today extends its global leadership in wireless data solutions with the announcement of the GlobeTrotter GT MAX, the world’s first tri-band HSDPA / 3G UMTS Wireless Data Card.
The GlobeTrotter GT MAX is the first of a new breed of wireless data card featuring Option’s unique and patented multi-band flip-out integrated antenna design meaning that GT MAX once inserted in a laptop may be operated by simply deploying the flip out antenna. For ease and convenience the antenna is retracted for briefcase or laptop carrier bag transport without the need to remove the wireless data card from the laptop.
In addition to the innovative antenna design the GlobeTrotter GT MAX is the world’s first wireless data card supporting all of the commercial HSDPA/3G UMTS networks available today. The GT MAX features Tri-band HSDPA/3G UMTS on 850/1900 & 2100 MHz bands as well as Quad band EDGE/GPRS on 850/900/1800 & 1900 bands.
Jan Callewaert, CEO of Option: “In launching the world’s first commercial tri-band HSDPA wireless data product, Option has demonstrated that not only is it at the leading edge of technology, but also in the aesthetic and ergonomic design of our products. The unique design of our GT MAX with its patented flip-out antenna is a remarkable engineering achievement, as is its ability to provide broadband wireless access across the globe from North & South America, through Europe, the Middle East & Africa, across to the Far East and Australasian continents. We have been able to realize a superb product that will have global appeal amongst our customer base.”
Commercial shipments of GlobeTrotter GT MAX commence before the end of this quarter. The GlobeTrotter GT MAX is the fifth commercial HSDPA product from Option.
The GlobeTrotter GT MAX wireless data card is available with Option’s GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager. This enables users to enjoy fast, simple and easy access to wireless data whilst hiding the complexity of the underlying wireless technologies from the user. In conjunction with Option’s mobile IP solution “Unlimited Connection”, users can seamlessly roam between 3G, 2G and WLAN access technologies with automatic authentication using the data card’s inbuilt support for PC Smart Card and EAP-SIM.
More product information
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/globetrotter_gt_max.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
For contacts at 3GSM World Congress
Jan Poté, PR & Communication Manager
Tel: + 32 (0) 475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@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 Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, February 6, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that TMN has chosen the Company’s wireless broadband router, the GlobeSurfer® 3G. The network operator will market the GlobeSurfer® 3G as part of its mobile Internet access solutions tailored to individual and professional needs.
TMN is a subsidiary of the Portugal Telecom Group and the leading mobile telecommunications provider in Portugal, with more than 5 million costumers. Investing in the ongoing diversification of solutions, TMN makes technological innovation and orientation towards the client drive its overall activity, supported by constant investments to strengthen the network coverage and the quality of service. TMN has a history of leading the mobile market in Portugal with attractive, advanced services.
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 this emerging mobile market.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 30, 2006 – Following the announcement of the GTM351E embedded wireless module on December 29 2005, Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, confirms that it has signed a supply agreement with Acer Inc., with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan and Europe’s leading notebook vendor. Shipments of the GTM351E are planned to support the commercial roll-out of a new range of wireless enabled notebook products from Acer.
According to IDC (Personal Computing in Western Europe, Forecast and Analysis update, 2005 – 2009 – December 2005), Acer is the leading notebook vendor within EMEA with a market share of 18.6 %. IDC further comments that within the notebook market “Acer maintained leadership - for the fifth consecutive quarter due to the successful deployment of a very aggressive expansion strategy across the continent.”
The Option GTM351E embedded wireless module is the ideal solution for an IT manufacturer embedding broadband Wide Area wireless connectivity into laptop, portable, and mobile devices. The GTM351E provides HSDPA 1.8 Mbps, UMTS WCDMA in the 2100 MHz band and EDGE/GPRS in four bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), thereby ensuring worldwide network compatibility bringing embedded broadband wireless Internet connectivity to mobile devices.
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Mobilkom Austria rolls out HSDPA network with Option data cards
Leuven - Belgium, January 23, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, continues the successful execution of its HSDPA strategy with the announcement and initial shipment of a new product within its HSDPA portfolio - the GlobeTrotter HSDPA.
The new data card delivers speeds of up to 1.8Mbps over an HSDPA network - 4,5 times faster than maximum data rates available over 3G UMTS. If no HSDPA network is available the data card will automatically establish the fastest possible connection using 3G, EDGE or GPRS. The GlobeTrotter HSDPA is already shipping in support of the commercial roll-out plans of network operators in EMEA.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option, said: “The launch of this product is a key step in Option’s strategy to support its operator partners and their customers through this technological change. Where HSDPA has already been launched, our new data card delivers the highest possible mobile data rates ‘out-of-the-box’. Where 3G operators are still deploying the enhanced technology, our ‘HSDPA-Ready’ cards empower operators to maintain their wireless broadband marketing and sales momentum without disadvantaging their customers.”
Serving nearly 3.4 million customers, Mobilkom Austria will become one of the first operators to offer Option’s new HSDPA data card when it starts retailing the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card Broadband (HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE) today. At the same time, a free software upgrade to HSDPA will be made available (at www.A1.net/hsdpaupgrade) to any Mobilkom’s customers who previously purchased the UMTS+EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ card.
Announced in September 2005, Option’s ‘GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE HSDPA-Ready’ and ‘GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA-Ready’ data cards have helped sustain strong demand for wireless data solutions by empowering new users to enjoy the benefits of 3G safe in the knowledge that their data card can be upgraded simply when HSDPA becomes available from their operator.
As soon as an operator is ready to launch HSDPA within its territory, a simple firmware upgrade, made available via a website, is sufficient to release the full power of 1.8 Mbps HSDPA.
For more product information:
Product Datasheet: https://www.option.com/products/overview.shtml
Product Pictures: https://www.option.com/news/6_3_presskit.shtml
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 19, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Mr. Lawrence M. Levy and Mr. Jan Loeber have agreed to join its Board of Directors, as new members, expanding the company’s board size from four to six.
Final appointment of the new directors will be subject to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Friday March 31, 2006. Mr. Levy will act as a non-independent member, whilst Mr. Loeber’s future mandate will have the status of an independent Board member.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Lawrence and Jan. Our Company will benefit from their extensive experience in international business and finance while working with high growth companies in the telecom industry. Their insights should further strengthen our global market leadership. We look forward to a productive collaboration focused on increasing shareholder value.”
Mr. Lawrence Levy, 67, has been, and continues as, Senior Counsel at Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP. For more than 30 years before that, Mr. Levy had been a partner at Brown Rudnick, specializing in Corporate and Securities Law. Since 1998, Mr. Levy has divided his time between Brown Rudnick’s Boston and London offices, dealing with cross-border issues and transactions for the firm’s clients. Mr. Levy is also a Director of Hologic, Inc., (Nasdaq: HOLX), located in Bedford, Massachusetts. Mr. Levy received a B.A. from Yale University and a LLB from Harvard Law School.
Mr. Jan Loeber, 62, is a member of the Board of Directors of Tele2 (TEL2_A.ST) in Sweden, an advisor to the CEO of Interxion, BV in The Netherlands and Chairman of Newfound Comm (Boston) and Vino Via (NL). Previously Mr. Loeber held leadership positions at a number of companies as the founding Managing Director of GTS Carrier Services (later Ebone) in Brussels, Managing Director of Bankers Trust's Global Telecom Merchant Banking Group, founding Managing Director of Unitel (merged with Mercury one-2-one and acquired by T-Mobile) in London and Group President of Nokia Americas. He has also held other senior management positions at ITT Europe in Brussels and at AT&T (Bell Laboratories) in New Jersey. Mr. Loeber received his B.S. in Physics from Michigan Technological University and his M.S. in business administration from George Washington University.
Option’s continuing Board Directors are: Jan Callewaert, Founder and Chairman Option - Triakon N.V. represented by Lucien De Schamphelaere, Board member of Melexis N.V. (Euronext: MELE) - Arnoud De Meyer, Professor of Technology Management and Deputy Dean at INSEAD and Board member of Dassault Systems S.A. (Euronext: DSY.PA, NASDAQ DASTY) and - Philip Vermeulen, Advisor and Director of various companies active in the information technology business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Jan Callewaert, CEO or 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 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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 19, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Mr. Lawrence M. Levy and Mr. Jan Loeber have agreed to join its Board of Directors, as new members, expanding the company’s board size from four to six.
Final appointment of the new directors will be subject to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Friday March 31, 2006. Mr. Levy will act as a non-independent member, whilst Mr. Loeber’s future mandate will have the status of an independent Board member.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Lawrence and Jan. Our Company will benefit from their extensive experience in international business and finance while working with high growth companies in the telecom industry. Their insights should further strengthen our global market leadership. We look forward to a productive collaboration focused on increasing shareholder value.”
Mr. Lawrence Levy, 67, has been, and continues as, Senior Counsel at Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP. For more than 30 years before that, Mr. Levy had been a partner at Brown Rudnick, specializing in Corporate and Securities Law. Since 1998, Mr. Levy has divided his time between Brown Rudnick’s Boston and London offices, dealing with cross-border issues and transactions for the firm’s clients. Mr. Levy is also a Director of Hologic, Inc., (Nasdaq: HOLX), located in Bedford, Massachusetts. Mr. Levy received a B.A. from Yale University and a LLB from Harvard Law School.
Mr. Jan Loeber, 62, is a member of the Board of Directors of Tele2 (TEL2_A.ST) in Sweden, an advisor to the CEO of Interxion, BV in The Netherlands and Chairman of Newfound Comm (Boston) and Vino Via (NL). Previously Mr. Loeber held leadership positions at a number of companies as the founding Managing Director of GTS Carrier Services (later Ebone) in Brussels, Managing Director of Bankers Trust's Global Telecom Merchant Banking Group, founding Managing Director of Unitel (merged with Mercury one-2-one and acquired by T-Mobile) in London and Group President of Nokia Americas. He has also held other senior management positions at ITT Europe in Brussels and at AT&T (Bell Laboratories) in New Jersey. Mr. Loeber received his B.S. in Physics from Michigan Technological University and his M.S. in business administration from George Washington University.
Option’s continuing Board Directors are: Jan Callewaert, Founder and Chairman Option - Triakon N.V. represented by Lucien De Schamphelaere, Board member of Melexis N.V. (Euronext: MELE) - Arnoud De Meyer, Professor of Technology Management and Deputy Dean at INSEAD and Board member of Dassault Systems S.A. (Euronext: DSY.PA, NASDAQ DASTY) and - Philip Vermeulen, Advisor and Director of various companies active in the information technology business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Jan Callewaert, CEO or 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 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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - Belgium, January 18, 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that SmarTone-Vodafone has selected the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD wireless data card, providing its mobile customers with access to broadband wireless data services wherever they travel worldwide. The product is customized to the exacting requirements of the operator. This latest supply agreement extends Option’s long-standing relationship with Vodafone into a region the world’s leading international operator group considers to be strategically important.
SmarTone-Vodafone is Hong Kong's leading mobile services brand with more than 1 million customers. SmarTone-Vodafone is a GSM operator and a 3G services provider. The commercial launch of 3G-enabled services at the end of 2004 for both consumers and business users is a key milestone in its quest for long-term growth through multimedia services. SmarTone-Vodafone is the marketing brand for SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited following the signing of a Partner Network Agreement with Vodafone Group Plc. The dual brand was officially launched in April 2005. Established in 1992, the company was the first operator to launch GSM mobile services in Asia in 1993 and the first in Hong Kong to introduce automatic international roaming.
Option’s GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD is the world’s first 5-band broadband wireless data card combining in a single PC data card, 3G UMTS at 2100 MHz for EMEA markets and Quad band GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz for worldwide markets.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO
E-mail: investor@option.com
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
Leuven - België, Januari 11, 2005 - De titel ‘Manager van het Jaar 2005’ wordt toegekend aan Jan Callewaert (49), oprichter, bezieler en patron van de beursgenoteerde snelgroeier in mobiele communicatie, Option.
De Manager van het Jaar is een initiatief van het weekblad Trends in samenwerking met Kanaal Z en de Vlaamse Management Associatie.
De beslissing van de jury kwam er na een uitgebreide en spannende discussie. Voorzitter Lutgart Van Den Berghe: “Een laureaat die twee belangrijke eigenschappen in zich combineert: een pure entrepreneurial drive en het nodige managementtalent om een bedrijf in een doorgroeifase en snel evoluerende markt verder te begeleiden.” Jan Callewaert is volgens de jury een ondernemer die zijn aangeboren drive als entrepreneur, zijn passie, talent en gedrevenheid om deals af te sluiten en zelf alle touwtjes in handen te houden op een opmerkelijke manier aan het converteren is naar het model van de manager/coach. Er zijn niet veel bedrijfsleiders die daarin slagen. Option hertimmerde zijn hele HR structuur op een grondige wijze en versterkt het middenkader. De metamorfose van een doorgroeibedrijf dat (gezonde) chaos moet laten wijken voor efficiëntie, structuren en delegatie van de macht. De jury hield bij de selectie van de laureaat in het bijzonder rekening met de volgende criteria: de complexiteit van de opdracht, de dimensie waarin het bedrijf opereert, de diverse klantengroepen en marktsegmenten die worden bediend, de financiële prestaties in de voorbije periode en de uitstraling van de manager naar zijn onmiddellijke omgeving en buitenwereld. De procedure voor de hele selectie verliep als volgt. De jury kwam onder het voorzitterschap van Lutgart Van Den Berghe (Belgisch Bestuursinstituut), drie maal bijeen. In eerste instantie om de shortlist van tien kandidaten samen te stellen, dan om _ op basis van de kiesprocedure waarin de lezers van Trends hun stem konden uitbrengen _ de drie genomineerden aan te wijzen en daarna voor de finale selectie van de laureaat.
De jury voor de editie 2005 was samengesteld uit 16 leden. Vier vertegenwoordigers van de Trends-redactie (Frans Crols, Piet Depuydt, An Goovaerts en Luc Huysmans), de drie voorbije Managers van het Jaar (Ajit Shetty, Martine Reynaers en Jef Colruyt), Rik Duyck (voorzitter Vlaamse Management Associatie) en acht onafhankelijken (Lutgart Van Den Berghe, Jozef Lievens, Johan Van Overtveldt, Marc Buelens, Geert Noels, Herman Daems, Jean Van den Eynde, Rita Aerts).
Voor alle bijkomende informatie kan u contact opnemen met Piet Depuydt, hoofdredacteur Trends (secretariaat Sara Crois, 02/702.48.00 of sara.crois@trends.be).
Jan Callewaert (OPTION)
(Copyright, Trends, 12 januari 2006)
Zijn bedrijf ging van de top naar het ravijn _ en terug. Jarenlang hielden vooral het charisma en de koppigheid van Jan Callewaert Option in de lucht. Maar vandaag is Option ook gewoon een goed geleid bedrijf. De omzetdoelstelling van Option staat binnenkort op de bedrijfsshirts: ‘5 by 8’ _ vijfhonderd miljoen omzet tegen eind 2008. Een kleine twintig keer hoger dan de omzet in 2002, het jaar dat Option afsloot met een beurskoers van 1 euro. Vorige week ging de koers boven 70 euro. Vanwaar die ommekeer? Vrienden van Jan Callewaert, zoals directeur Jan De Schepper van Telindus, schrijven de ommekeer toe aan zijn drive, zijn entrepreneurship, zijn vermogen om “met zijn twee voeten van de grond te gaan”, gekoppeld aan een sterk technisch inzicht. “Hij heeft de typische kenmerken van een start-up in zijn organisatie kunnen behouden: passie, talent, entrepreneurship, snelheid. Dat is sterk. Door zijn focus op een bepaald marktsegment is hij heel scherp kunnen gaan. En hij is altijd zelf voor de grote deals gegaan. Dat is de klasse van de entrepreneur: een heel nauw contact met de markt, geen ivoren torens, geen zware organisatie.”
Een man van alle seizoenen
Omgekeerd zaten in 1998-2002 de omstandigheden tegen. Option was na zijn beursintroductie tegen 10 dollar naar 68 dollar doorgeschoten op basis van zijn eerste mobiele product, een gsm-adapter voor dataverkeer. Maar de Nokia’s en Ericssons introduceerden zelf adapters. En er was geen vraag naar het antwoord van Option: een eerste gsm-op-een-datakaart. De volgende technologiegolf _ mobiel internet via GPRS _ zou nog drie jaar op zich laten wachten. Bij gebrek aan vernieuwing in zijn kernproduct, stelde Option zijn ontwikkelingscapaciteit veilig met maatwerk voor derden _ Compaq, Handspring, het Chinese Xoceco. Geen enkel van die contracten kreeg een lucratief vervolg. De langverwachte GPRS-kaart, de Globetrotter, begin 2001 voorgesteld op muziek van Mission Impossible, was een nachtmerrie. De kaart stond niet op punt en _ even erg _ de kwaliteit van de GPRS-standaard zelf bleek zeer te verschillen volgens operator. Huisbankier Fortis adviseerde beleggers om Option te dumpen. De investeringsmaatschappij Gimv, bevriende investeerders en vooral Jan Callewaert zelf hielden het bedrijf recht met miljoenen verse euro’s. Toch werden dat jaar de maatregelen uitgevoerd die de huidige groei onderbouwen: een topklasse research- en ontwikkelingscapaciteit verwerven voor de snelst mogelijke time-to-market; de productie overdragen aan outsourcer Jabil (maar een efficiënte kwaliteitscontrole organiseren); voeling houden met de markt door het productontwerp in nauw overleg te doen met de mobiele operatoren; marketing en verkoop in handen geven van die operatoren en ze een minimumafname laten garanderen; niet investeren in een eigen merk. De versterking van het management in 2001 bracht rust. Vooral Bernard Schaballie, de nieuwe engineeringdirecteur, overgekomen van Telindus, bleek een zegen. Option werd geleidelijk een klokvaste leverancier. En ook privé bracht 2001 geluk. Jan Callewaert werd voor het eerst vader _ van een dochter, Laurence, “mijn lady” noemt hij haar.
Zoveel mogelijk communicatie op één kaart
De doorbraak was het contract in november 2002 met Vodafone, de eerste operator die echt werk maakte van mobiele data. Toen Vodafone marcheerde, moesten de anderen volgen. Option legt er zich op toe om zoveel mogelijk communicatiemogelijkheden op één kaart te verenigen _ een strategie waarin de Amerikaanse concurrent Novatel niet geloofde _ en komt sinds halfweg 2003 geregeld met primeurs: wifi, GPRS en tri-band-gsm op één kaart, dan een combinatie van UMTS, GPRS en wifi (met Swisscom), vervolgens, als de gsm-verbetering Edge doorbreekt: Edge, GPRS en wifi. En nu recent, de ‘HSDPA Ready’-kaarten, die alleen een softwareupgrade vergen om de aangekondigde verbetering van UMTS _ HSDPA _ te kunnen gebruiken. De combinatie van normen laat operatoren toe om Option à la carte in te passen in hun investeringen. De klantenlijst is intussen langer dan zeventig, met onder meer China Mobile, T-Mobile, Telefonica en het Amerikaanse Cingular _ naast Vodafone uiteraard.
Op het terrein van de grote jongens
Het lijkt een paradox, maar al die tijd is de markt voor mobiele datakaarten zich veel trager blijven ontwikkelen dan verwacht. Option is met zijn 30-40 procent marktaandeel een grote vis in een kleine poel. Dat verandert nu. In december 2005 demonstreerde Option (en enkele dagen later Samsung) dat zijn nieuwe HSDPA-kaarten met hun 3,6 megabit per seconde de snelheid van een vaste DSL-verbinding van Belgacom kunnen evenaren. De mobilofoon wordt daarmee voor het eerst technisch een werkelijk alternatief voor de vaste lijn, al blijft de commerciële toepassing nog even uit. “Eind dit jaar vriendelijke tests, in 2007 de echte roll-out. De 7,2 Mbps-versie gaat in 2008 commercieel,” voorspelt Jan Callewaert. Zo verbreedt de markt. Plots speelt Option op het terrein van de grote jongens. Fabrikanten van draagbare computers bouwen nu al lokale draadloze wifi-netwerking in en zullen ook mobielecommunicatiemodules inbouwen, voorspelt Jan Callewaert. Tot nog toe is dat een projectbusiness, die Option _ wijs geworden sinds 1998-2002 _ aan Sierra Wireless overlaat.
Voetbal, skiën, wandelen, stilte…
Wat is genieten voor een 200 km/uur-type als Jan Callewaert? De groei van Option en zijn medewerkers natuurlijk. Maar ook het historische complex Tafelrond, naast het Leuvense stadhuis, dat Jan Callewaert persoonlijk in juni 2005 kocht voor 6,4 miljoen euro. En kennelijk ook de ambitieuze tweedeklasser Oud Heverlee Leuven, waar Jan Callewaert Option vorig jaar als hoofdsponsor binnenloodste (hij is geregeld bij de thuiswedstrijden te zien). Maar ook de antithese: de wandelingen met vrouw en dochter in Heverlee-Bos, dat naast zijn landhuis ligt, het diner met de vrienden, zijn geliefde bergen _ en geconcentreerd werken in stilte. “Speciaal daarvoor heb ik een stek in het Leuvense stadscentrum,” verklapt hij. En lezen. Boeken over management en technologie. “Door bij te lezen weet ik wat ik wil, en ook wat ik niet wil.” Dat laatste gold voor de inbouwmodules. “Soms is het beter niet de eerste te zijn. We hebben doelbewust negen maanden gewacht, al was dat op de tanden bijten.” Tot de industrie zich op een nieuwe formaatfactor standaardiseerde. Door meteen daarop in te pikken, springt Option nu over Sierra heen met een “design win” bij een “belangrijke informaticafabrikant”. Option stapte in november 2005 ook in een tweede nieuwe specialiteit. Als UMTS de rol van de DSL-verbinding overneemt, ontstaat er behoefte aan routers om verschillende draadloze lokale netwerkgebruikers een UMTS-verbinding te laten delen. Daarvoor nam Option in november 2005 de routeractiviteiten en -patenten van het Zweedse Possio over. Option is niet eerst op die markt. In september 2005 bracht Cisco/Linksys al een UMTS-router uit, in samenwerking met… Vodafone. Mogelijk koopt Option nog meer technologiebedrijfjes om hiaten in te vullen, vermoedt analist Eric De Graaf van Petercam in Amsterdam. “Option zat bij het jaareinde op meer dan 50 miljoen euro cash.”
Hoog mikken: één derde van de wereldmarkt
De Leuvenaren versterken zich intussen om in die Nieuwe Wereld mee te spelen, ook in Azië. Callewaert: “We trekken nu een middenkader aan _ in legal, human resources, verkoop, engineering, marketing en business development _ dat absoluut nodig is om te kunnen delegeren en informatie terug te krijgen.” Het zevenkoppige directiecomité _ onveranderd sinds 2002 _ blijft ongewijzigd. “Je moet dat team de kans geven om mee te groeien met het bedrijf. Dat zijn uitdagingen, maar ze nemen ze waar. Dat is het mooie daaraan. Anderen daarin parachuteren zou de ambities fnuiken,” zegt Callewaert. Analisten volgen met argusogen de marges die Option realiseert _ 41,3% in het derde kwartaal. Zolang de technologie snel genoeg evolueert _ en dat is het geval _ kunnen die hoog blijven. Option blijft mikken op één derde van de wereldmarkt in datakaarten, die door ABI Research op ruim 8 miljoen stuks wordt geschat in 2008. Voor inbouwmodules zullen pc-fabrikanten altijd rijpere technologie gebruiken _ ze willen geen pc’s terugkrijgen wegens één module. Maar precies omwille van dat streven naar betrouwbaarheid denkt Jan Callewaert dat Option zich daar, met zijn trackrecord, zijn grondige kennis van de technologie en zijn relatie met de operatoren, moet kunnen doorzetten. Jan Callewaert geeft grif toe dat zijn bedrijf _ zoals de concurrenten _ voor zijn UMTS-technologie erg afhankelijk is van patentengrossier Qualcomm, dat de basischipsets levert. “Maar dit is meer dan wat producten van Qualcomm inkopen en wat engineering doen. Eigenlijk zijn de instapbarrières enorm.” Met twaalf tot achttien maanden vooruitzicht op wat de operatoren van plan zijn, is Option al halfweg voor zijn “5 by 8”.
Leuven, Belgium – 11 January 2006 - Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today released its Financial Calendar for the year 2006. Option intends to release its quarterly financial information in 2006 on the following dates - before market hours:
Q4 results + full year 2005: Thursday February 23, 2006
Q1 results: Thursday May 4, 2006
Q2 results: Thursday July 27, 2006
Q3 results: Thursday October 26, 2006
Annual shareholders’ meeting: Friday March 31, 2006, 10 AM in Leuven (Belgium).
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), a Wireless Router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
GlobeSurfer III Reference Manual - revised on 5th March 2012
Learn the latest firmware development on the CloudGate
The iCON 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The iCON 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Step by step description on how to set up Dynamic DNS in GlobeSurfer II 7.2
GlobeSurfer III Reference Manual - revised on 5th March 2012
This application is the interface between the GlobeSurfer® III device and your personal desktop. It allows you to see incoming messages, phone calls, etc. on your desktop.
This document provides a description of how to configure an IPSec tunnel on
the GlobeSurfer® III.
This firmware updater cannot be run on a MAC running Safari browser. Please use Firefox or Chrome.
This firmware updater cannot be used for devices purchased through a network operator. Please contact your network operator for further information.
Please read 'What is new in firmware R1N89' document for updates in this firmware revision.
Note: The firmware upgrade process can take up to 20 minutes. Interrupting the process might lead to permanent failure of the device. Note: this update cannot be used with devices purchased through a network operator. Please contact your network operator directly for assistance.
Please read document for new features in this firmware R1N89
This application is the interface between the GlobeSurfer® III device and your personal desktop. It allows you to see incoming messages, phone calls, etc. on your desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
GlobeSurfer III+ Firmware update procedure
Revised version to include watchdog and SMS control features.
This document provides a description of how to configure an IPSec tunnel on
the GlobeSurfer® III.
This document provides a description of how to configure Port Forwarding rules on the GlobeSurfer® III.
This document provides a description of how to configure the ADSL Failover functionality on the GlobeSurfer® III.
This document provides a description of how to configure a print server and a file server connected to the USB port of the GlobeSurfer III.
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter Express 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.2
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.2.0.536
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.159
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software : GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software : GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software : GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software : GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
GlobeTrotter GT Max 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter GT Max 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter GT Max HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software to GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter GT Max HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software to GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter GT Max 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
Version 3.0.0.866
Connection software for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Windows 7 support: - NDIS connection mode : legacy - GPS mode : legacy
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Windows 7 support: - NDIS connection mode : legacy - GPS mode : legacy
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Windows 7 support: - NDIS connection mode : legacy - GPS mode : legacy
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
This upgrader will upgrade the iCON 225 to firmware version 2.5.24
Note: This flasher can only upgrade Option standard iCON 225 devices.
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAX OSX 10.3, 10.4, 10.5
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Firmware upgrader to version 2.12.0
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Upgrade firmware to version 2.12.0Hd and software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1.0.1086 for Windows and 3.1.19 for MAC OSX
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Connection software for Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (Legacy mode only)
Upgrade firmware to version 2.12.0Hd and software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1.0.1162 for Windows and 3.1.78 for MAC OSX
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Connection software for Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (Legacy mode only)
Upgrade firmware to version 2.12.0Hd and software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1.0.1162 for Windows and 3.1.78 for MAC OSX
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Enables the user to activate or deactivate the GPS port
Enables the user to activate or deactivate the GPS port
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Upgrade frimware to version 3.19.0 (HSDPA category to 14.4 mbps) and software to uCan Connect version 2.2.3.230.
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The download contains a document on how to use the iCON 711 in Linux.
This driver installer can only be used in Windows 7 Mobile Broadband mode. After installation, connection of the Option device can be made through Windows Mobile Broadband instead of using Option connection managers.
Important note: This driver CANNOT be installed on any other Microsoft OS than on the Windows 7.
If you already have installed the GlobeTrotter Connect, this driver package CANNOT be installed on top. This will create a driver conflict.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
How to manually add an APN or disable the PIN code of your SIM card
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
Quick and easy set up (also details LED status indicators)
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
Board of Directors - Verslag Onafhankelijk Expert - Independent Expert Report: UEST NV Fairness opinion on equity valuation at 31 October 2020
Special Report of the Board of Directors - art. 602
Auditor Special Report - art. 602
Option NV - Auditer Special Report: Uitgifte van Converteerbare Obligaties met opheffing van het voorkeurrecht. Verslag van de Commissaris in het kader van artikel 596 en artikel 598 van het Wetboek van Vennootschappen
Special Report of the Board of Directors: Bijzonder verslag van de Raad van Bestuur overeenkomstig artikelen 583 en 596 juncto 598 van het Wetboek van Vennootschappen over de uitgifte van Converteerbare Obligaties
Download here
The articles of association stipulate that the Board of Directors is composed of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine members, who are appointed by the general shareholders meeting for a maximum period of six years. The Board of Directors has to contain at least three independent directors.
The Board of Directors is currently composed of four members, namely: Eric Van Zele (Chairman of the Board of Directors), Raju Dandu, Martine Reynaers and Paul Matthijs.
Eric Van Zele
Mr. Eric Van Zele currently serves as Chairman of Reynaers Aluminium and Crescent NV. He was recently appointed chairman of the E17 network of hospitals and of the Hermes decision committee of The Flemish agency for Innovation and entrepreneurship. He continues to serve as a director of Barco NV. Prior to his current mandates Eric served as president and CEO of Barco NV in Kortrijk from 2009 thru 2016. He served as CEO of Pauwels International (from 2004 thru 2008) and of Telindus nv (2000 thru 2003). Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Raychem Corporation in Menlo park, CA, USA and as Managing Director of Raychem nv in Leuven, Belgium. (1972 thru 1999). He was nominated “Manager of the Year in 2012” and “ICT Personality of 2013”. Eric holds a masters degree in electrical and mechanical engineering from the KUL in Leuven (1972) and postgraduate degrees in management from Stanford University (1992 CA, USA).
Raju Dandu
Mr. Raju S. Dandu is the Founder-Chairman of Danlaw Inc. USA. He is also the Managing Director of Danlaw Technologies India Ltd. He is responsible for strategic planning and corporate management of both companies. Prior to founding Danlaw Inc., he held positions at the University of Iowa hospitals, Ford Motor Company, Dana Corporation and worked as an independent consultant at General Motors. He holds a bachelors’ degree in electronics engineering from Kakinada, India, a masters in electronics from University of Iowa and an MBA from University of Detroit.
Martine Reynaers
In 1980, Martine started her career as Financial Analyst of Technicon in Paris, a subsidiary of the
American Revlon Group.
In 1982, she was appointed Financial Manager of Wexal International Ltd, an aluminium extrusion
company in Enniscorthy, Ireland.
In 1983, she moved to the Reynaers headquarters in Belgium, where she took up the position of
Financial Manager. From 1986 onwards, Martine has been the Managing Director of Reynaers until
June 2021 when she will retire from this position and take on the role of Chair of the Board.
Paul Matthijs
Next to holding several non-executive advisory positions, Paul Matthijs is COO of Vlerick Business School. Prior to this, Paul Matthijs was CEO of Niko until 2019 and held several senior executive positions in R&D, product management and general management in the Medical Imaging and Entertainment division and the Retail and Advertising Venture of Barco. Mr. Matthijs' career at Barco spanned over 30 years. He holds a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering and an MBA from the Vlerick Business School.
Guy Sips
Equity Analyst
KBC Securities
E-mail: guy.sips@kbcsecurities.be
Address:
Havenlaan 12 SMK 8374, B-1080 Brussels
Gert De Mesure
Analyst
Vlaamse Federatie van Beleggingsclubs en Beleggers
E-mail: gert.de.mesure@skynet.be
Address:
Langestraat 221, B-2240 Zandhoven
Information about the Option share price can be found on several websites:
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Apply via recruitment@option.com.