BARCELONA, Spain – February 11 2008 – Option (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, unveils three new wireless broadband devices at the Mobile World Congress 2008. The high performance yet easy to use HSPA devices continue Option’s long-standing commitment to ‘simplexity’ – making complex technologies simple and accessible to users.
Built around the four key wireless broadband segments of Home, Embedded, Professional and Consumer Solutions, Option’s booth (Stand 2C54 in Hall 2) demonstrates the company’s vision of ‘Anytime, Anywhere Easy Access to Information”.
The iCON 401, is a high performance and lightweight (only 40g) HSPA USB wireless modem, incorporating a micro SD memory card expansion slot. The stylish and innovative design, in which the antenna has been integrated into a cover that rotates to protect the USB interface, has been recognised in Germany’s prestigious iF Product Design Awards 2008. Additionally, by incorporating the antenna in the protective cover, Option has been able to increase the separation between the antenna and the PC to enhance performance and make the most of the Receive Diversity capability that optimises reception in fringe coverage areas. The full press release of this product announcement can be found at www.option.com/mwc.
The GT EXPRESS 401 data card is the world’s first compact ExpressCard-format data card to combine quad-band HSPA (900, 1900, AWS and 2100) with a fully integrated antenna system delivering professional performance in a slim line design. Built to achieve peak HSDPA download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps with HSUPA uploads at up to 5.76 Mbps – depending on network and device firmware release – the compact ExpressCard format offers the best upload and download speeds available today. The full press release of this product announcement can be found at www.option.com/mwc .
Highlighting Option’s breadth of experience and expertise, the GTM382 is a new generation wireless broadband embedded module capable of achieving uplink data speeds of 5.76Mbps. This easy-to-integrate module allows manufacturers of computers and consumer electronics (OEMs) to add broadband WAN connectivity as well as an optional voice calling capability to consumer electronic devices, laptops and PDAs. Two leading OEMs – Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Samsung – are already developing new products incorporating the device. The full press release of this product announcement can be found at www.option.com/mwc .
All the new devices, iCON 401 – GT EXPRESS 401 – GTM382, incorporate multi-band HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS to deliver global connectivity and benefit from Receive Diversity and Receive Equalisation. Patented ZeroCD™ technology makes Option’s USB modems and data cards truly plug-and-play: drivers, applications and manuals are automatically installed when the device is used for the first time.
The iCON 401, GT EXPRESS 401 and GTM382 are expected to ship in commercial volumes in the third quarter of 2008.