KT Selects Atheros
Communications as Supplier of High-Performance Wireless LAN Technology for
its Dual-Band Solutions
Largest Korean Telecom provider
integrates Atheros 802.11a/g technology into KT access points, PC cards and USB
adapters for enterprises, schools and NESPOT hot spot locations
SEOUL, Korea, Mar. 17, 2005
- Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of
advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced that KT (formerly Korea
Telecom), the largest telecommunication services provider in Korea and one of
the largest in the world, has selected Atheros 802.11a/g technology for its
5GHz/2.4GHz dual-band WLAN products. Atheros is the exclusive supplier of
802.11a/g technology to KT’s advanced line of WLAN products, which will be
branded with the Atheros Super AG® logo.
The Atheros AR5002AP-2X, AR5004X and AR5005UX 802.11a/g WLAN chipsets have been
integrated into KT’s dual-band wireless access points, PC cards, and USB
adapters, respectively, and are being deployed in enterprise, school and hot
spot environments. Atheros’ 802.11a/g technology delivers robust wireless
connectivity, enabling high-bandwidth applications such as streaming HDTV video
signals, transferring large data files, and supporting more users on a network.
The KT products will feature Atheros Super AG technology, which employs
innovative performance-enhancement techniques – including dynamic turbo with
adaptive radio technology, packet bursting, fast frames, and data compression –
that dramatically increase the throughput and range of wireless networking
products. The technology supports link rates up to 108 megabits-per-second
(Mbps) and enables user throughput of more than 60 Mbps.
"To be a leader in the 5GHz WLAN services market in Korea, KT needed a
technology partner that could deliver strong security, robust performance and
reliable connectivity required in today’s high-bandwidth application-driven
environment. With its proven industry-leading 802.11a/g and Super AG solutions,
Atheros is our partner of choice in bringing advanced dual-band products to the
Korean market," said Won-sic Hahn, managing director of KT.
"Korea is an advanced market that offers some of the highest bandwidth services
in the world. We are very pleased to be partnering with KT to bring the next
generation of advanced WLAN solutions to the Korean market,” said Craig Barratt,
president and chief executive officer of Atheros Communications. "Our dual-band
802.11a/g technology provides the high bandwidth needed for wireless video
applications in the home as well as scalability for large WLAN deployments.
Atheros is proud to be the exclusive supplier of 802.11a/g technology to KT.
”While Atheros' 802.11a/g technology is backward compatible with 802.11b
devices, in an enterprise or hot spot environment in Korea the dual-band
802.11a/g products can accommodate seven times more people simultaneously than
802.11b/g products. Additionally, the Atheros chipset series features an
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) engine built into the hardware, allowing
real-time support for full 802.11i security without any performance degradation.
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 KT
KT (formerly Korea Telecom) is the largest
service provider in South Korea. It runs the largest and most sophisticated
communications network in South Korea for local, long-distance, and
international call and data service. And it was privatized in June 2002. For
more information on KT, visit its Web site at
www.kt.co.kr.
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. 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 partnership of KT and Atheros and the incorporation of
Atheros’ 802.11a/g technology in KT’s products, and KT’s branding its products
with the Atheros Super AG logo, 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
difficulties inherent in developing new and enhanced products; the effects of
competition; whether Atheros continues to be the exclusive provider of 802.11
a/g technology to KT or KT determines to purchase such technology from other
suppliers for any reason; general economic conditions, particularly in Korea;
and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 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.
Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344,
cheryl@atheros.com or Mary Colvig, A&R Partners, 650-762-2820,
mcolvig@arpartners.com.
