Option's GlobeTrotter Combo Edge Wins Regulatory Approval for US and European Markets

Option's GlobeTrotter Combo Edge Wins Regulatory Approval for US and European Markets

LEUVEN, Belgium, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI), the wireless technology company, today announced that it has received the mandatory technical certifications FCC and PCTRB for use on EDGE and GPRS networks in the US. Having formal certification enables Option to start commercial shipments of the Quad band GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE product to US operators. For the European market, Option has also received the statutory CE & R&TTE approvals and has started shipping commercial products to European customers.

In order to promote efficient use of the radio spectrum in US markets, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has developed technical standards for devices that are capable of emitting radio frequency energy when in use -- such as wireless data cards. These products, including now Option's GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE, need to receive FCC identification numbers in accordance with the Commission Equipment Authorization rules prior to marketing in US markets. This FCC certification is similar to the CE certificate for the European markets.

PTCRB approval is required for all products entering the North American markets. The purpose of the PTCRB (PCS Type Certification Review Board) is to provide the framework within which GSM Mobile Equipment (ME) Type Certification can take place for members of the PTCRB, which includes the most important US network operators.

On an EDGE network, GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE enables connections to the Internet at data speeds of up to 247 kbps. When in range of a public Wi-Fi hotspot, the corporate wireless network or a home wireless network, the GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE provides connection at speeds up to 54Mbps. In areas where EDGE or Wi-Fi services are not available, the data card still enables reliable and secure data connections over traditional GPRS. Option offers its premier GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager(TM) software with the GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE enabling users of the data card to have fast, simple and easy access to wireless data, whilst hiding from the user the complexity of underlying wireless EDGE, GPRS and WLAN (Wi-Fi) technologies. In addition, network operators implementing Option's mobile IP solution, SESAM(TM), will be able to provide their users with a Seamless Roaming experience regardless of access technology. The GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE, as other data cards within the GlobeTrotter family, is Microsoft WHQL certified, has built-in support for SIM authentication (EAP-SIM) enabling automatic authentication on WiFi networks, and supports Microsoft's PC Smart Card services (PCSC) within the Microsoft Windows Operating System.

About Option

Option NV (http://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).


Source: Option NV

CONTACT: Douglas Ros, Vice President Business Development & Marketing,
+32-16-317-411, d.ros@option.com, or Frederic Convent, CFO and General
Counsel, +32-16-317-411, investor@option.com, both of Option NV

Web site: http://www.option.com/


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