Leuven – Belgium, May 13 2004 – Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI), the wireless technology company, today welcomed the launch by Proximus of its high speed data service using Option’s 3G UMTS PC Data Card. The Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS high speed data card for notebook and laptop PCs has been specifically customised to promote both the Proximus and Vodafone brands to the Belgian market. The Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card was developed, manufactured, and is supplied to Proximus by Option.
In addition to the Proximus/Vodafone co-branding on the data card, Option has been working closely with Proximus in the design and development of a special version of the Vodafone Dashboard software that is automatically configured for the Proximus 3G and GPRS networks and supports the Dutch, French, and English languages required for the Belgian market.
Jan Callewaert, CEO Option: “By enabling Proximus to offer the first 3G data card solution in Belgium, Option reinforces its worldwide reputation as a world leader in wireless data technology. We are pleased that through this offering the mobile professional, small and medium enterprise, and the larger corporate customer will be able to experience the huge benefits that Proximus brings with its 3G network in Belgium.”
Philippe Vander Putten, CEO Proximus: “The launch of the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card is a major milestone in Proximus’ journey. With this first 3G service Proximus wants to reinforce its Mobile Business Solutions strategy – tailored to help companies increase their productivity, efficiently control their costs and generate revenues. Option has actively contributed to personalise the data card and the software to allow Proximus to offer a product who fully comply with the needs of his business clients.”
The Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card plugs into a laptop and provides a simple, integrated and secure means of accessing information and data anytime, anywhere, staying always connected while only paying for the information they actually send or receive.
With data rates of up to 384kbps, the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card enables Proximus business customers to access all their usual office applications such as e-mail, calendar and internet at up to 7 times the speed of a fixed line dial up, and up to 10 times the speed of GPRS.
Currently Option supplies the 3G/GPRS Vodafone Mobile Connect Card to over 15 mobile operators within the Vodafone 3G footprint.
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.
For more information please contact:
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411
E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO & General Counsel
Tel +32 (0) 16 317 411
E-mail: investor@option.com