LEUVEN, Belgium – October 31, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today unveils Uniwill, Taiwan’s leading manufacturer of ultra-portable notebook solutions, as the Company’s third design win for its embedded wireless modules. Commercial shipments of the wireless module to Uniwill have started in support of the further roll-out in 2007 of the X20 and L51 notebook platforms, both incorporating the Intel Core® Duo processor, to Uniwill’s OEM customers.
Uniwill, an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), is widely recognized within the personal computer industry for its strength in notebook design and contract manufacturing expertise. The company manufactures notebooks for some of the world’s leading brands as well as many strong local brands.
With access to Option’s wireless module, Uniwill empowers the local brands, many of whom are well known and respected in their home markets, to co-operate with local mobile operators on the development and marketing of laptops bundled with embedded wireless broadband connectivity.
In 2005, Uniwill’s notebook PC business reported annual revenue of NTD $26.8 billion, representing over 1.8 million units sold worldwide. In August of this year Elitegroup Computer Systems, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of desktop PCs, notebooks, servers, motherboards, video cards, wireless solutions and handheld devices , announced an agreement to acquire Uniwill Computer. This acquisition will allow customers of both companies to bring a wide range of compelling white label notebooks and devices to market quickly.
Incorporating HSDPA 1.8 Mbps and UMTS WCDMA in the 2100 MHz band and EDGE/GPRS in four bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), Option’s wireless module enables IT manufacturers to offer laptop, portable and mobile devices with comprehensive wide-area broadband connectivity. Its latest module, supporting 3.6 Mbps HSDPA and capable of post-sale upgrade to 7.2 Mbps, is being trialled by Option’s laptop OEM partners.
Option is working with four manufacturers including Acer, Samsung and Uniwill. A fourth design win with an as yet un-named top ten laptop manufacturer was announced by Option early October 2006.
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 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