Atheros Multi-Mode WLAN Technology Is First To Market

Dual-Band WiLAN Solution Now Integrated in New ThinkPad Notebooks Offers Best Performance and Transparent Connectivity Across 802.11 Standards

SUNNYVALE, Calif., January 29, 2003 - Atheros Communications, the leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) technology, today announced that IBM is introducing the first  ThinkPad model that integrates the Atheros multi-mode WLAN chipset. This new model, the ThinkPad R40, is shipping now and offers users the ability to seamlessly connect to any IEEE802.11 network based on both the 802.11a and the 802.11b standards.

IBM has chosen the Atheros multi-mode 802.11a/b solution in order to help simplify the wireless user experience and provide the highest WLAN performance to its customers. Multi-mode products, while still supporting legacy WLAN devices that operate in the 2.4-GHz band, provide all the benefits of the 5-GHz band and the 802.11a standard. These benefits include more non-interfering transmission channels and a cleaner spectrum, along with five times the speed and more than 20 times the user capacity of 802.11b-only deployments.

Multi-mode WLAN is a global phenomenon that’s happening now to allow notebooks to operate in any country where unlicensed spectrum has been allocated for WLAN usage. As the first ThinkPad model to offer built-in Wi-Fi 802.11a/b connectivity, the new IBM ThinkPad R40 is capable of connecting to any Wi-Fi network based on any IEEE 802.11 standard. Other key features include the advanced IBM UltraConnect antennae technology and Access Connections wireless software that is capable of automatically sensing a wired or WLAN connection and switching between them based on priority or performance. This means ThinkPad users can seamlessly and transparently move from a wired office connection to a wireless LAN campus connection, without having to manually switch profiles.

“From IBM’s introduction of the innovative TrackPoint device to their latest wireless innovations, the ThinkPad line of notebooks is synonymous with high performance and maximum flexibility for the mobile professional,” said Rich Redelfs, president and chief executive officer for Atheros. “-We’re thrilled to work with IBM to provide  the most efficient, transparent wireless connectivity to their customers.”

The Atheros chipset, the market’s only commercially available combination 2.4- and 5-GHz product today, seamlessly and transparently supports all major security and wireless standards via its SmartSelect^TM technology. These standards include the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for enterprise and government-grade security, WEP and TKIP for legacy encryption, 802.1x authentication, Cisco’s LEAP, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and 802.1q Virtual LAN (VLAN) support to segment multiple classes of users.

About IBM ThinkPad

IBM ThinkPad continues to help lead the way in delivering enhancements, innovations and solutions that have shaped and defined the mobile computing industry. Since the launch of the ThinkPad 700C in 1992, more than 15 million ThinkPad notebooks have been shipped. ThinkPad notebooks are praised as design and engineering models, winning more than 850 industry awards. ThinkPad notebooks have been trusted for use in some of the world's most extreme settings, including space shuttle launches, altitudes more than 17,000 feet above sea level and on the open seas. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is the leading developer of networking technologies for secure, high-performance wireless local area networks. As the industry innovator and market-share leader in multi-mode wireless solutions compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specifications, Atheros is driving transparent connections among electronic devices in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's leading wireless equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

# # #

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.