Atheros Delivers Multi-Mode Wi-Fi Technology in New Notebooks from 4 of the Top 5 PC Vendors

Multi-Mode 802.11 Offers Both Backward Compatibility and the Enhanced Scalability Essential for Future WLAN Growth

SUNNYVALE, Calif., January 29, 2003 - Atheros Communications today announced that its leading multi-mode (2.4 and 5 GHz) WLAN solutions, providing both IEEE802.11a and 802.11b wireless connectivity, are being built into new notebooks from HP, IBM, NEC and Toshiba—four of the world’s top five PC vendors[1]. All four companies are integrating high-performance WLAN chipsets from Atheros into new notebook PCs, providing customers with the highest level of performance and transparent connectivity to any standard 802.11 network.

“The big trend in 2003 is the shift to multi-mode, driven by the laptop vendors integrating it into their products,” said Allen Nogee, Senior Analyst with In-Stat/MDR. “Mobile workers need seamless transparency across any wireless network, and Atheros, more than anyone else, is making that a reality today.”

Multi-mode capability provides up to five times the speed and more than 20 times the user capacity of 802.11b legacy products. As the industry leader in advanced WLAN technologies and the first to develop an 802.11a chipset, Atheros is the only volume provider of a single 802.11-compliant chipset supporting all Wi-Fi standards.

“These leading laptop manufacturers understand that their customers don’t want to have to worry about WLAN standards—users just want to be connected wherever they go,” said Rich Redelfs, president and chief executive officer of Atheros. “Our chipset makes that possible. Higher performance, more non-interfering channels and cleaner spectrum are all advantages of the 5-GHz band. However, the reality is WLAN products need to be compatible with the installed base of 2.4-GHz devices. The Atheros solution makes sure no one is left behind and that users can take maximum advantage of wireless communications wherever they are.”

According to In-Stat/MDR, 5.7 percent of all notebooks were wireless-enabled in 2002. In-Stat predicts this share will rapidly grow to 35 percent in 2003, and to 90 percent by 2005. Increasingly, wireless connectivity is becoming an important enhancement of laptop mobility.

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 including Accton, Actiontec, Acrowave Systems, AirVast Technology, ALPS, Ambit, Askey, ASUS, BenQ, Contec, CyberTAN, Delta Networks, D-Link, Gemtek, Gigabyte Technology, Global Sun Tech, HP, IBM, ICOM, Intel, Intermec, I-O Data, Linksys, NEC, NETGEAR, Philips, Proxim, Samsung, Senao, SMC Networks, Sony, Symbol, TDK, TECOM, USI, W2 Networks, Wistron NeWeb, Z-Com and others. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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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.