Leuven, Belgium – July 19th, 2006 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI; OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that T-Mobile Austria has launched the GlobeSurfer® ICON as the wireless broadband product offering Austrian PC users internet access via HSDPA and 3G UMTS networks through a small, elegantly designed device that can connect to any desktop or laptop USB port. The GlobeSurfer® ICON is being sold under the T-Mobile brand as “Web ‘n’ Walk Surf Box”. Other companies within the T-Mobile group are currently assessing the GlobeSurfer® ICON with the view to also adding this product to their “Web ‘n’ Walk” portfolio.
T-Mobile Austria is a 100% subsidiary of T-Mobile International, one of Deutsche Telekom’s three strategic business units. T-Mobile International is one of the world’s leading companies in mobile communications. The company concentrates on the most dynamic markets in Europe and the United States. By the end of 2005, more than 87 million customers were served in nine T-Mobile markets. Furthermore, T-Mobile International is a partner of FreeMove, an alliance formed by four of Europe’s leading mobile companies – Orange, Telefónica Móviles, TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile) and T-Mobile. FreeMove Alliance helps its customers to communicate as easily while traveling abroad as they do at home.
GlobeSurfer® ICON, announced at the 3GSM World Congress last February, is a new breed of wireless Internet device that delivers simple and fast wireless broadband connectivity for consumer or business applications whether at home or at work. With its DSL comparable data speed the GlobeSurfer® ICON connects, and is powered, through any Desktop or Laptop USB port.
Using patented “Zero-CD” technology, GlobeSurfer® ICON is truly plug ‘n play with zero user intervention. This means no user install, no application or driver CD. All the user needs is to simply plug GlobeSurfer® ICON into an available USB port and then surf the Internet, wirelessly. The GlobeSurfer® ICON opens up the potential for T-Mobile to further expand its Web ‘n’ Walk product strategy.
Available for mobile operators to market ‘off-the-shelf’, GlobeSurfer® ICON is 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 may not be available, GlobeSurfer® ICON connects 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) and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland.
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