Belkin N1 Wireless Router Featuring Atheros XSPAN Technology Receives LAPTOP Magazine’s Ultimate Choice Award

Innovative Design Praised for Performance, Long-Distance Coverage and Overall Enhanced WLAN User Experience

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 29, 2006 — Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced that LAPTOP Magazine has selected Belkin’s N1 Wireless Networking Router featuring Atheros XSPAN® draft 802.11n technology as the Ultimate Choice Award winner in the “Wi-Fi Router” category. The award was published in LAPTOP’s annual Ultimate Mobility special issue–currently available on newsstands. 

LAPTOP’s editors distinguished the Belkin N1 Wireless Router from competing products by highlighting its innovative 3x3 radio design, which results in “a smooth 150 Mbps of throughput and long-distance coverage of about 1,500 feet or more.” Additionally, LAPTOP focused on the Router’s user-friendly configuration and security features.

The Atheros AR5008 chipset with its unique triple-radio architecture and Signal Sustained Technology™ delivers real user throughput levels of 150 to 180 megabits-per-second (Mbps), which is equivalent to physical data rates up to 300 Mbps. The AR5008 chipset delivers higher throughput at extended ranges to support multiple high bandwidth applications simultaneously throughout the home – without connection drops or latency.

The Belkin N1 line is comprised of a Wireless Router (F5D8231-4), Wireless Notebook Card (F5D8011) and Wireless Desktop Card (F5D8001). These next-generation products combine higher draft 802.11n performance, assured interoperability, legacy-friendly operation and enhanced usability features.

“This initial review and resulting award from LAPTOP Magazine validates Atheros’ XSPAN technology for delivering industry-leading draft 802.11n performance and range,” said Todd Antes, vice president of marketing for Atheros. “We expect to see even higher real user throughput performance of up to 180 Mbps in future industry reviews.”

For more information about Belkin’s N1 product line, please visit: www.belkin.com.

About LAPTOP Magazine

LAPTOP–Mobile Solutions for Business & Life celebrates the infusion of mobile technology into our daily lives. LAPTOP delivers hands-on product reviews, objective comparisons, groundbreaking coverage of the latest tech trends, and insightful interviews with industry leaders. With page after page of the latest mobile gear for work and play, including notebooks, smart phones, handhelds, Wi-Fi, digital cameras, MP3 players, projectors, and more, LAPTOP continuously provides business travelers, IT professionals, and mobile enthusiasts with the information needed to stay connected effortlessly. In addition to the monthly issues, the six specials include Ultimate Mobility, Mobile Entertainment (spring and fall), Ultimate Wireless & Cellular Guide, Gadget Gift Guide, and Mobile Tech Buyer’s Guide. LAPTOP and its special issues are published by Bedford Communications, Inc. www.laptopmag.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, networking equipment and handset manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

 

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Atheros, the Atheros logo, XSPAN and Signal Sustained Technology are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the features, performance and benefits of Atheros’ XSPAN draft 802.11n technology, 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, difficulties in development and manufacture of new products and upgraded products, unforeseen problems in the performance of the AR5008 chipset upon broad deployment, and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.