LEUVEN, Belgium – April 25, 2007 – Option (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced the commercial availability of the Option GT Max 3.6 Express – the most advanced ExpressCard based upon the global standard for wireless – GSM. It is available in the U.S. through AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T).
Designed to work in newer laptops with ExpressCard slots, the GT Max 3.6 Express is powered by AT&T’s 3G-enabled BroadbandConnect network. BroadbandConnect is available in more than 165 major metropolitan areas in the U.S., allowing users to download a 1 megabyte file on average in about 15 seconds. The GT Max 3.6 Express also can be used outside the U.S. in countries where 3G UMTS networks or GPRS/EDGE networks have been deployed. AT&T is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer a single wireless broadband card, single rate plan global 3G solution.
Jan Callewaert, Option’s CEO, commented: “Its ExpressCard form factor, Advanced Receiver Technologies and Microsoft Windows VISTA-compatibility, combine to make the GT MAX 3.6 Express the ultimate mobile broadband card for users with notebooks that have ExpressCard slots. We’re delighted to expand our contribution in further driving the uptake of AT&T’s LaptopConnect offer.”
“The Option GT Max 3.6 Express is an excellent addition to AT&T LaptopConnect card portfolio, providing our customers more choice in a compact form factor,” said Laura Johnson, Senior Director, wireless enterprise solutions for AT&T. “Thanks to the GT Max 3.6 Express’ built-in global 3G capabilities, AT&T customers can use it to access important information whether they are on the other side of town, across country or halfway around the world.”
Compact and elegantly designed to work in notebooks with both ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 slots, the GT Max 3.6 Express offers users the most advanced technology based upon the GSM global standard for wireless. It features a flip-up antenna design, Receive Diversity and Receive Equalizer. Receive Diversity improves 3G performance by using an additional antenna to provide improved 3G signal reception while Receive Equalizer enhances 3G performance by reducing signal interference.
Product Highlights
•tCard Form Factor: ExpressCard/34
•tGlobal Compatibility with Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and quad-band GPRS/EDGE
otUMTS/HSDPA (850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz)
tHSDPA Category 6 (3.6 Mbps downlink / 384 Kbps uplink)
otEDGE / GPRS (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz)
otEDGE Class 12 (216 Kbps downlink/216 Kbps uplink)
•tAdvanced Receiver Technology
otReceive Diversity improves 3G performance by using an additional antenna to provide improved signal reception
tHSDPA Category 6 (3.6 Mbps downlink / 384 Kbps uplink)
otReceive Equalizer enhances 3G performance by reducing signal interference
•tCompatible with ExpressCard notebooks with Microsoft® Windows® 2000, XP, and Vista.
Pricing and Availability
The Option GT Max 3.6 Express is available today for purchase through AT&T wireless enterprise and retail sales channels for $49.99 (after rebate) when customers sign up for a two-year unlimited DataConnect rate plan. AT&T’s unlimited DataConnect rate plan is available for $59.99 for customers with a two-year contract and qualifying AT&T wireless voice plan. AT&T’s DataConnect North American plan of 100 megabytes for $109 per month provides for usage in select Canada and Mexico roam zones. DataConnect Global plan of 100 megabytes for $139 a month covers data usage in select roam zones in more than two dozen countries worldwide, including most major European countries, India, China and Japan. Both plans also include unlimited domestic data usage.
About Option
Option, the wireless technology company, is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of 3G WCDMA (HSPA 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), an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland. Option also has sales & support operations in the US, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. For more information please visit www.option.com.
For more information please contact
Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411, E-mail: d.ros@option.com
Frederic Convent, CFO Option
Tel + 32 (0) 16 317 471, E-mail: investor@option.com