Leuven, Belgium – September 20 2004 – OPTION (Euronext: OPTI), the wireless technology company, and T-Mobile, subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT), one of the world’s leading mobile communications companies today announced that it has selected Option’s GlobeTrotter FUSION™ broadband wireless data card to give the mobile professional easy and seamless access to T-Mobile’s UMTS/GPRS and Wi-Fi networks.
In June of this year Option announced GlobeTrotter FUSION™, the world’s first 3-in-1 data card combining 3G, GPRS and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g technologies on a single PC Card, T-Mobile’s choice for the GlobeTrotter FUSION™ clearly demonstrates the market need for broadband wireless data card solutions supporting multiple access bearer technologies.
T-Mobile operates more than 8,500 public Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, promotes secure access to the internet or corporate networks, and provides wireless coverage with international 3G and GPRS networks. Today’s mobile professional requires ubiquitous wireless access. Option’s GlobeTrotter FUSION™ is the only broadband wireless data card solution available on the market today that fully satisfies the requirement for ubiquitous access, whilst enhancing the user data experience and convenience.
Jan Callewaert, CEO at Option: “Over the years we have built a solid business relationship with T-Mobile and I am very pleased that they have yet again selected a GlobeTrotter product for the launch of their new data card. T-Mobile’s decision to market our GlobeTrotter FUSION 3-in-1 data card is an important milestone for both our companies as it marks the third such product in the GlobeTrotter range that T-Mobile will be sourcing from Option.”
T-Mobile was one of the first mobile operators in 1999 to market data services in Germany with Option’s FirstFone™, a GSM 900 data card. In 2002 T-Mobile launched its GPRS packet switched data services with Option’s GlobeTrotter GPRS data card. In 2003 T-Mobile selected Option’s GlobeTrotter COMBO GPRS card with on board WLAN. Currently Option’s GlobeTrotter data cards are marketed under the T-Mobile brand in Germany, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
David Hytha, T-Mobile’s Executive VP of Terminals says: “T-Mobile is committed to simple, seamless communications. Today’s announcement is another milestone enabling customers to take their office with them on the move. Full broadband speeds and T-Mobile’s unique Wi-Fi offering brings this strategy to life. Currently there are over 8,500 T-Mobile HotSpots worldwide. T-Mobile is delighted to be working with Option in the next stage of our mobile access offering.”
On a 3G network the GlobeTrotter Fusion™ enables broadband connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Move into a range of public WiFi hotspot, the corporate WLAN or your home wireless network and the GlobeTrotter Fusion™ provides connection at speeds up to 54Mbps. In areas where 3G or WiFi services are not available GlobeTrotter Fusion™ still ensures reliable and secure data connection over the widely available GPRS services.
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 & General Counsel Option
Tel +32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com
Elaine Devereux, T-Mobile
Tel +44 7950 396249
About Option
Option NV (www.option.com ), the wireless technology company, is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of 3G WCDMA (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.
About T- Mobile
T- Mobile is one of the world’s leading companies in mobile communications. As one of Deutsche Telecom’s [four] strategic divisions, T- Mobile concentrates on the most dynamic markets in Europe and the United States. By the end of the first quarter 2004, more than 96 million people were using the mobile communications services provided by companies in which T- Mobile or Deutsche Telekom have a majority or minority stake. And all that over a common technology platform based on GSM, the world’s most successful digital wireless standard. This also makes T-Mobile the only mobile communications provider with a seamless transatlantic service. T- Mobile is now rolling out its 3G networks and services and, uniquely, rolling out Wi-Fi ‘Hotspots’ enabling virtually instantaneous download of data, graphics, audio and visual.