Australian Mobile Users to surf at 3.6 Mbps Using Option's Globetrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready"

Option N.V. (Euronext: OPTI) (OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Telstra is offering Australians the world's fastest cellular connection following the launch of Option's GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready" HSDPA data card as part of the "Next G" wireless mobile broadband service. As well as its cutting-edge performance, Option's GT MAX series features the unique integrated flip-out antenna: for ease and convenience, the antenna is simply retracted for briefcase or carry bag transport without the need to remove the wireless data card from the laptop.

Sold under the brand of Australia's leading telecommunication company serving more than 8.5 million users, the GT MAX "7.2 Ready" delivers tri-band HSDPA at data speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. Option's next generation wireless data card is already compatible with mobile network infrastructure equipment capable of supporting higher HSDPA data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps.

Backward compatibility ensures HSDPA connections at lower data rates of 3.6 Mbps and 1.8 Mbps. The wireless data card also has inherent support for 3G operation at 384 kbps as well as quad-band EDGE and GPRS. Besides operating at 2100MHz, GTMAX also supports Telstra's 850MHz frequencies making use of Telstra's extended geographical 850 MHz footprint. The GT MAX's support for this low frequency band and the build-in Advanced Radio Technology further enhances indoor connectivity.

Jan Callewaert, CEO Option commented: "Working with Telstra has been a major landmark in Option's history. By assisting our customer in Australia complete the world's first commercial deployment of 3.6 Mbps HSDPA with receive diversity, we have enabled Telstra to differentiate its proposition through superior performance while delivering significant operational efficiency gains."

Option's unique Advanced Radio Technology (ART) internal architecture differentiates the GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready" from other HSDPA devices by introducing Receive Diversity and Receive Equalization into the product design, delivering important performance benefits to users and operators.

Receive Diversity exploits dual antenna and receive chains to improve signal reception and reduce the impact of spatial variations in signal strength. Receive Equalization, on the other hand, improves immunity to interference of the radio signal. In usage scenarios tested during GT MAX field trials, ART improved average throughput speeds up to 50% compared with non-ART devices giving greater connection stability and higher data throughput vastly improving the overall user experience. For operators, mobile receive diversity increases network capacity by up to a factor of two while reducing base station power requirements.

The tri -band 2100/1900/850 MHz GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready", announced in June of this year, is initially configured for 3.6 Mbps operation. As mobile networks are upgraded to offer data rates up to 7.2 Mbps, a simple user initiated "Flash upgrade" issued by the operator will boost card performance up to a maximum data rate of 7.2 Mbps. The GT MAX "7.2 Ready" is also the first Option data card to use patented Zero-Install technology which eliminates the need for the user to pre-install drivers, or a software application, in order to use the device. This data card is truly unique Plug 'n Play solution: no user install, no user installed application, no driver CD.

Unique Features of GlobeTrotter GT MAX

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- Unrivaled features in a single wireless Data Card device;

- Five Band flip-out Antenna design (Patented technology);

- No need to remove the card from the laptop for transport;

- Tri-band HSDPA/UMTS 2100/1900/850 MHz bands - compatible with World

Wide usage;

- Advanced Receiver Technology (Receive Diversity & Equalisation);

- Quad Band EDGE/GPRS 1900/1800/900/850 MHz bands - compatible with

World Wide usage;

- Future Proof "7.2 Mbps Ready" - No need to purchase a new wireless

data card;

- Zero-CD (patented technology) - No necessity for the user to pre-

install drivers or software;

- Designed for Windows XP and Windows Vista Capable.

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About Option (www.option.com)

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 and Taiwan.

For further information: Douglas Ros, Vice President, Business Development & Marketing, Option, Tel +32-16-317-411, E-mail: d.ros@option.com; Frederic Convent, CFO, Option, Tel +32-16-317-471, E-mail: investor@option.com