Atheros Communications and FON Collaboration Supports Expanding Worldwide Wi-Fi Community

Atheros 802.11g Router Solution Enables FON to Deliver High Performance Wi-Fi to Growing Personal Hotspot Networks

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2006 — Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced that FON, the largest Wi-Fi community in the world, has introduced high-performance Social Routers featuring Atheros’ single-chip 802.11b/g router solution, the AR5006AP-G. The solution enables FON’s “La Fonera” Routers to deliver superior 802.11g throughput – physical data rates up to 54 megabits-per-second – with over 300 feet of signal coverage, the length of a typical city block.

The access point-on-a-chip solution interoperates with any 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a/g or draft 1.0 802.11n client device, including wirelessly-enabled laptops and USB and PC Card adapters. It combines the wireless network processor, media access controller, baseband and radio functions onto a single silicon chip. The chip also offers many enhanced features, including support for IEEE 802.11i security and 802.11e Quality of Service specifications, to deliver a superior user experience.

FON is pioneering a new business model for creating a disruptive, user generated Wi-Fi community. There are nearly 100,000 Foneros worldwide. By the end of 2007, that number is estimated to reach 1 million, according to FON. The company’s Wi-Fi community enables Foneros to provide a network of free (or very low cost access) hotspots where they are needed. To join, users purchase FON’s “La Fonera” Router featuring the Atheros AR5006AP-G chip or download FON’s software onto their existing access points (AP). The activated FON routers create Wi-Fi hotspots, which Foneros can easily connect to by entering a user name and password.

“FON is developing the world’s largest user generated Wi-Fi community. Our members share their wireless Internet access at home and, in return, can roam onto other La Fonera Routers all over the world,” said Joanna Rees, chairman of FON U.S. “We’ve incorporated Atheros’ AR5006AP-G chipset into our routers because it delivers superior wireless performance.”

 “We’re pleased to team up with FON to encourage the proliferation of Wi-Fi access to the mass market wherever a broadband connection exists,” said Todd Antes, vice president of marketing of Atheros. “Our 802.11g router solution will give FON subscribers an impressive wireless user experience – reliable connectivity, robust throughput, wide-area range and ease-of-use.”

For more information regarding FON, please visit: http://en.fon.com/.  For more information regarding the AR5006AP-G solution, please visit: www.atheros.com/pt/AR5006AP-G.htm. 

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, networking equipment and handset manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com

###

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.

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the features, performance and benefits of Atheros’ AR5006AP-G solution and FON’s routers; the continued collaboration between Atheros and FON; and the anticipated future growth and size of the FON community, 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, difficulties in the development and manufacture of new products and upgraded products, whether FON is successful in creating and growing a large user generated Wi-Fi community; the effects of competition and technological change; the timing and extent of deployment of municipality Wi-Fi networks, and other 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.