Leuven – Belgium, June 30 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Orange UK, one of the leading mobile network operators, has chosen the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ 3G UMTS/ GPRS/WLAN data card to further extend their offering of high speed wireless data solutions to the business market. Option’s FUSION product is marketed and sold under the Orange brand. The selection by Orange in the UK for Option’s GlobeTrotter FUSION™ product endorses the decision by Orange France earlier this year to launch FUSION within its local market.
Orange has the UK’s broadest integrated 3G/GPRS network for business, with 70% of the population covered by its 3G network – when customers move out of 3G coverage they will seamlessly transfer to the GPRS network. Orange has 3G coverage in major cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Leeds, as well as popular locations such as business parks, mainline intercity railway stations, motorway service areas, airports, conference centers, and hotels.
Orange UK customers are able to use 3G services in ten other countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Austria and Hong Kong – with more being added.
Orange is a founding member of the FreeMove alliance, www.freemovealliance.com. Together with Telecom Italia Mobile, Telefónica Móviles and T-Mobile, the FreeMove alliance is the number one network provider in all main European countries reaching 170 million customers in 21 countries. The FreeMove alliance is committed to using its collective scale, strength and expertise to deliver greater choice, flexibility and transparency.
On a 3G network the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ enables connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Move into a range of public WiFi hotspot, the corporate WLAN or your home wireless network and the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ provides connection at speeds up to 54Mbps. In areas where 3G or WiFi services are not available GlobeTrotter FUSION™ still ensures reliable and secure data connection over the widely available GPRS services.
About Option
Option NV (www.option.com), the wireless technology company, is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of 3G WCDMA (HSDPA and UMTS), EDGE, GPRS, GSM and WLAN technology products for wireless connectivity solutions. Option has built up an enviable reputation for creating exciting products that enhance the performance and functionality of wireless communications. Option’s headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium. The company has Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO and General Counsel
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com