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LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES AND OPTION
JOIN FORCES TO DELIVER HIGH-SPEED DATA SOLUTIONS FOR 3G
UMTS WIRELESS NETWORKS
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FOR RELEASE: MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 18, 2002
SWINDON, UK & LEUVEN, BELGIUM – Lucent Technologies
(NYSE: LU) and Option (Nasdaq Europe: OPIN) today announced
an agreement to produce third-generation (3G) universal
mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) wireless PC cards
designed to meet the needs of enterprise customers requiring
high-speed mobile data connections to access business-critical
applications.
The 3G UMTS technology will provide data transmission
speeds as fast or faster than what is currently available
on wire line voice and data networks. This will enable
wireless service providers to offer new data services
to their enterprise customers, including the capability
to open and send e-mail (including large attachments)
and access the Internet, corporate local area networks
(LAN’s) and Intranets and other applications –
quickly and reliably – from any location.
“We believe there is a significant untapped, and
profitable market among business users for high-speed
mobile access to the kinds of applications they typically
use in the office,” said Bruce Dale, vice-president
for UMTS product and offer realization for Lucent’s
Mobility Solutions Group. “Our agreement with Option
ensures that we can deliver an end-to-end solution that
will allow UMTS operators to tap this valuable market
and quickly begin to generate 3G revenues.”
This partnership is an important step in Lucent’s
strategy to accelerate the introduction of 3G high-speed
data solutions for mobile operators worldwide, and underscores
its leadership and focus on spread-spectrum technologies
such as UMTS.
Under terms of the agreement, Option will develop dual-mode
UMTS/GPRS wireless PC cards for both the 1900 and 2100
MHz spectrum bands. Lucent will provide R&D funding
as well as technical and marketing support.
The availability of the wireless PC cards will support
Lucent’s introduction of its end-to-end UMTS high-speed
data offer in mid-2002.
“Option is proud to announce their plans for UMTS
high-speed data products and is committed to playing an
important role in the development of third generation
products by enabling operators to launch advanced data
services at speeds much faster than those previously available
on wireless networks,” said Jan Callewaert, president
and CEO of Option. “We are pleased to partner with
Lucent, especially considering their leadership position
in the 3G wireless market. Next-generation products are
moving towards higher bandwidth. We are well positioned
to support this trend”.
“Our dual-mode UMTS/GPRS PC card is the natural
evolution of our current product portfolio after our developments
based on the GPRS technology. Being dual-mode, the card
will allow users to benefit from higher speeds wherever
UMTS is available and switch back to GPRS in all other
areas. This provides the user with leading-edge advantage.”
Lucent is demonstrating UMTS technology – featuring
innovative wireless applications and services delivered
over high-speed data connections – at the 3GSM World
Congress 2002 show, taking place from Feb. 19-22 at the
Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.
Option is featuring its GPRS products on its stand (Hall
2 – Stand G4) and several other partners’
stands at the show.
About Option – “Wireless
Technology” – NasdaqEurope: OPIN
Option is the leading innovator in wireless communications.
The company designs, develops and manufactures a family
of products for wireless solutions. Option has built up
an enviable reputation for creating exciting new products
that enhance the performance and functionality of wireless
communications. Option’s headquarters are in Leuven,
Belgium. The company has R&D centers in Leuven, Cambridge
(UK) and Adelsried (Germany) and a production engineering
facility in Cork, Ireland.
More information can be found at www.option.com
About Lucent Technologies
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J.,
USA, designs and delivers networks for the world's largest
communications service providers. Backed by Bell Labs
research and development, Lucent relies on its strengths
in mobility, optical, data and voice networking technologies
as well as software and services to develop next-generation
networks. The company's systems, services and software
are designed to help customers quickly deploy and better
manage their networks and create new, revenue-generating
services that help businesses and consumers. For more
information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site
at http://www.lucent.com.
Kurt Steinert
Lucent Technologies – Mobility Solutions
+1 973-386-8438 (office)
+1 917-495-1673 (mobile)
ksteinert@lucent.com
Laurent De Hauwere
Option n.v.
+32 (0)16 317 411 (office)
+32 (486) 20 20 20 (mobile)
ldh@option.com
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