Leuven – Belgium, December 13, 2005 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Polkomtel has selected three wireless data cards from Option’s portfolio, the GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE ‘HSDPA-Ready’, the GlobeTrotter EDGE and the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD, to provide data services to its broad base of mobile business users. With over 8 million customers in Poland, Polkomtel markets its services under the “iPlus” brand. Polkomtel plans to launch HSDPA services in 2006 and as such the “iPlus” HSDPA-Ready 3G/EDGE wireless data card gives Polkomtel customers the extra advantage of buying a future-proof solution for the upcoming HSDPA service. Currently both the GlobeTrotter EDGE and GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD wireless data cards are marketed by Polkomtel under the Option brand.
Polkomtel, Poland’s tier one wireless network operator, is one of three mobile telephony operators in Poland, marketing its services under brand names Plus GSM, Simplus and Sami Swoi. Polkomtel’s Plus GSM service, covers 98% of the area of Poland, provides services to over 8 million customers, and operates GSM 900, DCS 1800 and 2100 MHz 3G UMTS. The company has pioneered innovative GSM-technology-based services on the Polish market. Amongst other notable achievements Polkomtel was the first company to offer MMS messaging, voice-based access to text messages (SMS), and GPRS/EDGE based data transmission services. In September 2004 Plus GSM was the first operator in Poland to launch 3G UMTS services and currently has the largest 3G coverage footprint on the Polish market.
The GlobeTrotter ‘HSDPA-Ready’ 3G/EDGE on a 3G UMTS network enables broadband connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Where 3G services are not available it falls back to EDGE at data speeds of up to 247 kbps. In the absence of an EDGE or 3G UMTS network the data card still enables reliable and secure data connections over traditional GPRS.
HSDPA-Ready is an Option unique concept, which means that whenever the network operator decides to launch HSDPA services in its territory, a simple firmware upgrade, available via the operator’s website, is sufficient to release the power of HSDPA on the data card.
On a 3G UMTS network the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD enables a connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. On an EDGE network the GlobeTrotter EDGE data card provides connectivity at speeds up to 247 kbps. In the absence of a 3G UMTS (for the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD) or an EDGE network (for the GlobeTrotter EDGE) both data cards enable reliable and secure data connections over traditional GPRS.
ABOUT OPTION
Option NV (www.option.com ), the wireless technology company, is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of 3G WCDMA (HSDPA and UMTS), EDGE, GPRS, GSM and WLAN technology products for wireless connectivity solutions. Option has built up an enviable reputation for creating exciting products that enhance the performance and functionality of wireless communications. Option’s headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium. The company has Research & Development in Leuven, a Software and Applications development centre in Adelsried (Germany), a wireless router development centre in Stockholm (Sweden) 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
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com