Leuven, Belgium – September 8, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Proximus has selected the GlobeSurfer® ICON as the wireless broadband product to offer Belgian PC users internet access via 3G UMTS or HSDPA. The small, elegantly device, designed for hassle-free installation, connects to the USB port of any desktop or laptop PC to allow straightforward access to e-mail, office applications and the Internet. The GlobeSurfer® ICON is commercialized as part of the Proximus Mobile Internet program and is marketed as Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem.
Proximus is the largest mobile telecommunications operator in Belgium, serving some 4.25 million customers, representing a 48.4% share of the market of active customers on 31 December 2005. The company offers a wide range of mobile telecommunications products and services to private and professional customers. The offerings include traditional voice services, data services (SMS, MMS), a wide range of mobile solutions for companies and roaming agreements with more than 260 foreign networks in more than 170 countries. In 2005, Proximus became the first Belgian mobile operator to offer third-generation services to its private customers.
GlobeSurfer® ICON, announced at the 3GSM World Congress last February, is 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 data speeds comparable to DSL, the GlobeSurfer® ICON connects, and is powered, through any Desktop or Laptop USB port. 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. 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 GlobeSurfer® ICON can connect over 3G UMTS at up to 384 kbps, or quad-band EDGE/GPRS at up to 247 kbps.
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), an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland and sales & support offices in US, Japan and Taiwan.
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing Option
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411, E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO Option
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 411, E-mail: investor@option.com