Atheros Communications and
ICOM Enable 802.11a/g WLANs with Wireless Voice over Internet Protocol
New, ICOM WLAN Access Point and
Router are Compatible with Next-Generation Wireless VoIP Handsets from NTT
DoCoMo
SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 1, 2005—Atheros
Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless
LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced that its industry-leading 802.11a/g
technology is featured in ICOM Inc.’s recently introduced infrastructure
equipment. The products include a new wireless access point and router that
support WLAN and wireless Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networking. The
AR5004X 802.11a/g chipset provides universal wireless connectivity to any 802.11
network. The ICOM AP-5100VoIP access point and SR-5200VoIP2 WLAN router are the
first products optimized for wireless VoIP applications to use Atheros
technology.
The low-cost, high performance WLAN access point and router
solutions are targeted at small-to-medium sized businesses. The ICOM AP-5100VoIP
features two AR5004X chipsets to operate dual concurrent 802.11a/g wireless
networks and the ICOM SR-5200VoIP2 features a single AR5004X chipset. The access
point and router products can be used in conjunction with either NTT DoCoMo,
Inc.’s cell phone, the FOMA® N900iL with wireless Internet Protocol (IP) phone
capability, or ICOM’s wireless IP handset, the VP-43, to install a low-cost IP
phone system.
“Atheros wireless LAN technology offers high performance to
end users and is widely deployed in and outside of Japan,” said Masataka Harima,
director and general manager of the Media Technology Division at ICOM. “By
integrating the Atheros chipset into our designs, we’re introducing new
infrastructure equipment that advances the wireless LAN and IP phone market.
We’ve also partnered with NTT DoCoMo, and the AP-5100VoIP and SR-5200VoIP2
represent our companies’ first products on this joint project.”
These products also support Atheros’ popular Super AG®
performance-enhancement features. Atheros’ Super AG technology employs multiple
techniques, including packet bursting, fast frames, and data compression – that
dramatically increase the throughput and range of wireless networking products.
The technology supports up to 54 megabits-per-second (Mbps) link rates for users
in Japan, with typical end-user throughput of up to 40 Mbps based on Atheros’
results. This technology delivers user speeds that are 1.5-2.0 times faster than
standard 802.11g or 802.11a/g products. Outside Japan, with an additional
dynamic turbo mode activated, the technology can achieve throughputs of more
than 60 Mbps for typical data.
“The ability to make phone calls using a wireless LAN is
another compelling reason for deploying 802.11 networks,” said Dr. Tomoki
Ohsawa, general manager of Atheros Communications K.K. “ICOM and NTT DoCoMo are
bringing new, exciting innovations to market and the companies’ support of
wireless VoIP handsets will enable them to ride the 802.11 wave and meet their
customers’ growing wireless needs.”
The AR5004X chipset supports the latest WLAN security
standards including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), enabling real time
support for full 802.11i security. AES encryption is supported by all of Atheros
802.11a/g and 802.11g chipsets, allowing real-time encryption with no
degradation of operating data rates for the computing, consumer electronics and
wireless broadband markets. Atheros also supports the 802.11e Quality of Service
(QoS) specifications, providing advanced features for delivering wired-quality
video and audio content via a wireless connection.
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
# # #
Atheros, the Atheros logo and Super AG are
trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. FOMA is a registered trademark of NTT
DoCoMo, 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 collaboration between Atheros and ICOM and between ICOM
and NTT DoCoMo; the features, performance, capabilities and benefits of
Atheros’, NTT DoCoMo’s and ICOM’s products and the incorporation of Atheros’
wireless technology into ICOM’s infrastructure equipment; and the partnership
with NTT DoCoMo, 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 ICOM
continues to incorporate Atheros’ products into its equipment; whether NTT
DoCoMo purchases significant amounts of equipment from ICOM that incorporates
Atheros’ products; the effects of competition; general economic conditions,
particularly in Japan; and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 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.
Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344, cheryl@atheros.com,
or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838,
gwood@arpartners.com,
For analyst contact: Deborah Stapleton, Investor
Relations for Atheros, 650-470-0200,
deb@stapleton.com
