TP-LINK Selects Atheros Communications Technology for New Line of 802.11g Wireless LAN Products

TP-Link 108Mbps and 54Mbps products bring the benefits of high-speed wireless networking technology and mobility to consumers in China

Atheros eXtended Range™ and Super G® features enhance wireless user experience

BEIJING AND SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 17, 2004—Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced its strategic cooperation with TP-LINK Technology Co., Ltd., the market share leader for home and small/medium business networking products in China. TP-LINK is utilizing Atheros’ high-performance WLAN chipset technology in its new IEEE 802.11g wireless product line, which was launched today in Beijing, China.

“With our Atheros-based 802.11g products, TP-LINK is offering new wireless capabilities and a new wireless lifestyle to our customers,” said Zhao Jiaxing, General Manager of TP-LINK. “Although the WLAN market in China is still in its early stages, the growing deployment of broadband and the availability of affordable, high-performance wireless networking products will bring the technology into reach of more and more consumers. We’re pleased to be working with Atheros to help realize this vision.” 

TP-LINK’s 802.11g wireless LAN product lineup features the latest technology innovations in performance, range and security. The new Wireless-11G products support WLAN transmission link rates up to 54Mbps, while the Super-11G products add Atheros Super G® capability to achieve link rates of up to 108Mbps. The products are compliant with the 802.11g standard, and fully compatible with 802.11b devices.

All of the new Wireless-11G and Super-11G products from TP-LINK feature Atheros eXtended Range™ (XR) technology, which gives users the ability to have robust, longer-range wireless connections. With this range-enhancing technology, an Atheros-based client and access point can maintain a connection at as much as three times the transmission distance of normal 802.11b and 802.11g products, for a coverage area that is up to nine times greater.

In addition to extended range capability, the Super-11G line adds Atheros Super G technology for even higher WLAN performance. Super G technology employs multiple performance-enhancing techniques—including packet bursting, fast frames, data compression, and dynamic turbo mode—that combine to improve the throughput and range of wireless networking products. Users can experience link rates of up to 108Mbps, twice the industry-standard maximum data link rate of 54Mbps, while preserving full compatibility with normal 802.11g or 802.11b networks. Super G products offer the highest throughput performance available on the market today. 

TP-LINK’s Atheros-based products provide multiple types of security protection to protect the wireless network from intrusion. They are compliant with 64/128/152-bit WEP encryption, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), IEEE 802.1X authentication, TKIP, and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption. Atheros’ chipsets support the latest wireless security standards such as AES in hardware rather than software, so they deliver real-time encryption with no degradation in operating performance.

“TP-LINK is a valued business partner, and we are pleased to be working with them to bring the latest Wi-Fi technology and performance features to their customers in China,” said Tom Foster, vice president of worldwide sales at Atheros Communications. “Our companies share a vision that wireless technology will change the way people work and live. The Atheros Super G and XR technologies implemented in TP-LINK’s designs will enable users to transmit faster and farther than other 802.11b and 802.11g products, thus enhancing their overall wireless experience and satisfaction.” 

Atheros WLAN chipsets are integrated in the following new products from TP-LINK: the TL-WR640G/641G/642G 108Mbps Wireless Broadband Router, the TL-WN610G 108Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter; the TL-WN620G 108Mbps Wireless USB Adapter; and the TL-WN650G 108Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter. The chipsets also are key enabling components in the TL-WR540G/541G/542G 54Mbps Wireless Broadband Router; the TL-WN510G 54Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter; and the TL-WN550G 54Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter. All of the TP-LINK networking products are available now through TP-LINK retail distributors in China.

About TP-LINK
TP-LINK is the #1 market share holder of home and small/ medium business networking products in China. With 10 sales branches and more than 600 distributors in China, TP-LINK sells more than 8 million products annually, and holds more than 50% market share in China. Based on the confidence of tens of millions of customers, TP-LINK became the leading enterprise vendor combining the advantages of R&D, manufacturing and selling. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.tp-link.com.

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. 

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Atheros, the Atheros logo, Super G and eXtended Range are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. TP-LINK is a trademark of TP-LINK Technology Co., Ltd. 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 strategic relationship between Atheros and TP-LINK; the market for Wi-Fi Internet access products within China; and the features, performance and benefits of Atheros’ and TP-LINK’s products, 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 and how rapidly consumers in China adopt Wi-Fi Internet access technologies; our ability and the ability of TP-LINK to develop products that meet the needs of the China market; the effects of competition; difficulties in research and development of new and improved products; government regulation in China that could affect the Wi-Fi market; general economic conditions and in particular the health and growth of the China market; and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 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.

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.