D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Wireless Router Featuring Atheros XSPAN Technology Receives LAPTOP Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award

Atheros’ Technology Enables High-Performance Router to Deliver Fast Data Rates and Best Range Versus Competing Draft 802.11n Solutions

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 2, 2006 – Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced LAPTOP Magazine-Mobile Solutions For Business & Life has selected D-Link’s RangeBooster N™ 650 Wireless Router, the DIR-635, featuring Atheros’ XSPAN® draft 802.11n technology as the Editors’ Choice Award winner in its October 2006 issue. LAPTOP’s editors called the D-Link RangeBooster N 650 the “hottest router yet” among the new draft 802.11n products in the market and gave it four and a half out of five star-rating highlighting its “super fast” speed, “best range of any draft 802.11n router,” and ability to deliver “lots of tasty wireless throughput around your entire home.” 

The D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Router features Atheros’ AR5008 WLAN chipset with its unique triple-radio architecture and Signal Sustained Technology™. The AR5008 was designed to sustain high throughput wireless connectivity at greater distances enabling consumers to enjoy the growing number of bandwidth-hungry wireless applications conveniently and reliably throughout the home.

LAPTOP’s editors said, “The router…can deliver stunning throughput for transmitting high-def video files in minutes, or dole out enough bandwidth for everyone in your home to exchange files, make Internet phone calls, play online games, and download large files.” In the LAPTOP review, the D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Router achieved 130 Mbps of end-user throughput at five feet, delivered 48 to 80 Mbps at distances of 50 to 300 feet, and was still connected at 1,500 feet. According to LAPTOP, other draft 802.11n routers lose throughput sooner, dropping to 40 Mbps or less at distances of 50 to 300 feet.

“We are honored to receive the distinction of having the ‘hottest router yet’ tested by LAPTOP Magazine’s editors.” said Brian Larsen, associate vice president, product development, for D-Link Systems, Inc. “The RangeBooster N product line enabled by Atheros’ XSPAN technology, delivers an impressive combination of high throughput and coverage making this N 650 router the top choice for consumers who want the best in draft 802.11n performance.”

“This Editors’ Choice Award from LAPTOP Magazine highlights the many consumer benefits derived from D-Link’s implementation of Atheros’ XSPAN technology,” said Todd Antes, vice president of marketing for Atheros. “D-Link’s RangeBooster 650 N delivers high wireless bandwidth which completely covers the home. This expanded wireless capacity extends digital home applications beyond traditional data—to streaming audio, digital photos and video content as well as robust gaming.”

For more information about D-Link’s RangeBooster N 650 router and adapters, please visit www.dlink.com.  For more information regarding Atheros XSPAN with SST family of draft 802.11n solutions, please visit: www.atheros-xspan.com To read the LAPTOP review in full, please visit http://www.laptopmag.com/Review/D-Link-RangeBooster-N.htm.

About LAPTOP Magazine

LAPTOP-Mobile Solutions for Business & Life celebrates the infusion of mobile technology into our daily lives. LAPTOP delivers hands-on product reviews, objective comparisons, groundbreaking coverage of the latest tech trends, and insightful interviews with industry leaders. With page after page of the latest mobile gear for work and play, including notebooks, smart phones, handhelds, Wi-Fi, digital cameras, MP3 players, projectors, and more, LAPTOP continuously provides business travelers, IT professionals, and mobile enthusiasts with the information needed to stay connected effortlessly. In addition to the monthly issues, the six specials include Ultimate Mobility, Mobile Entertainment (spring and fall), Ultimate Wireless & Cellular Guide, Gadget Gift Guide, and Mobile Tech Buyer's Guide. LAPTOP and its special issues are published by Bedford Communications, Inc. www.laptopmag.com.

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

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release 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, the risks detailed in Atheros’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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.