Atheros Communications Supports the Newly Ratified IEEE 802.11j Standard for Indoor, Outdoor and Mobile Use

New Standard Expands Spectrum and Applications for WLAN Technology

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 29, 2004 – Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced its support for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) ratification of the 802.11j standard. The standard is an amendment to the existing IEEE 802.11, and provides specifications for using newly allocated Japanese spectrum in the 4.9 and 5 GHz bands for indoor, outdoor and mobile applications. Japanese cable companies, hot spot providers, major utilities and broadband carriers already offering wireless last-mile, vehicular, and hot spot access based upon current Atheros WLAN products will be able to support the newly ratified standard through a firmware upgrade.

The Japanese government published rules regarding the new spectrum’s use for indoor, outdoor and mobile environments in August 2002. The 802.11j standard provides a universal method of supporting new frequencies, different radio channel widths and wireless operating settings.

“We applaud the IEEE for seeing this 802.11 amendment through the approval process,” said Tomoki Ohsawa, general manager of Atheros Communications K.K. “The standard focuses on the new Japanese rules for wireless LAN use, however, it will have an impact in other countries where WLAN technology is progressively being used for hot spot, mobile and last-mile solutions.”

In the United States, the 4.9 GHz band is being adopted for public safety and homeland security communications networks, enabling applications that can take advantage of WLAN technology’s high performance, reliability, and low-cost. Communications vendors are currently delivering 4.9 GHz public safety band wireless solutions based on Atheros chipsets to police and fire departments for regional field trials.

Atheros worked closely with the IEEE, contributing to the development of the IEEE 802.11j, and the Multimedia Mobile Access Communication Systems Promotion Council (MMAC-PC) in Japan through the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) standard’s ratification. The result of IEEE’s work is a standard that makes 802.11 networks more flexible by allowing them to communicate and adapt, moving to any new frequency or changing the channel width to increase network performance or user capacity. Additionally, the standard improves the interoperability of new 802.11 applications by providing uniform methods for specifying new frequencies and how to operate in both indoor and outdoor wireless environments.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a leading developer of semiconductor system solutions for wireless communications products. Atheros combines its wireless systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer and networking equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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Atheros and the Atheros logo are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the 802.11j standard, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, whether the 802.11j standard is globally adopted; difficulties in implementing the 802.11j standard and developing products that successfully operate using the standard; the global telecommunications regulatory environment; general economic conditions; and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 as filed with the SEC and in other reports filed with the SEC by Atheros from time to time. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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For press and analyst inquiries contact: Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344, cheryl@atheros.com or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838, gwood@arpartners.com