Major European Market Opens Spectrum for IEEE 802.11a Technology

SUNNYVALE, Calif., February 12, 2003 - Atheros Communications, the leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, said today that it was delighted that Parliament has passed legislation permitting both public and private WLANs in the 5-GHz band. This action by the British government now makes 5-GHz spectrum available for license-exempt use of IEEE 802.11a technology throughout the United Kingdom.

“This is a significant development in wireless networking,” said Evelien Wiggers, senior research analyst, European Telecommunications and Networking Research at IDC. “Now 17 of 19 European Union countries support 5-GHz technologies. Additionally the potential for this technology is rapidly growing because of its high performance and high capacity capabilities enabling WLANs to proliferate everywhere.”

The Wireless Telegraphy Exemption Regulations, effective today, consolidate all related existing regulations and open Bands A (5.15-5.35 GHz) and B (5.47–5.725 GHz) for public and private access to mobile and nomadic broadband devices. The announcement was made by the United Kingdom Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), which writes communications legislation, and by the Radiocommunications Authority (RA), which develops and enforces usage rules. Previously a Temporary Use License for £50 per month was necessary to operate 5-GHz wireless equipment.

With the passage of this act, anyone may now set up a hot spot or use 5-GHz technology anywhere in the United Kingdom, greatly facilitating the availability of wireless broadband. This complements an existing measure permitting use of the 2.40-2.483-GHz band for Bluetooth® devices, ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) equipment and WLAN applications. It is seen as a major step in encouraging the public and private sectors to make best use of 5-GHz and multi-mode (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) WLAN technologies.

“We applaud the passage of this legislation,” said Michael Green, manager of global product compliance for Atheros. “With the opening of the 5-GHz band, we expect to see the popularity and use of wireless networking explode not only in the U.K., but throughout the European Community.”

It is expected that opening this spectrum will encourage telecom operators to deliver new and innovative public services, offering the possibility of ‘broadband on the go.’ Businesses now have the resources to create and deliver new ideas and technology to benefit the public and help deliver on the vision of a ‘Broadband Britain.’

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.

# # #

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.

View All Press Releases