Atheros Ships Lead-Free WLAN Chipsets

Atheros Offers Environmentally Friendly WLAN Chipsets That Help Customers Meet International Guidelines

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 3, 2004—Atheros Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced that it began shipping lead-free versions of its complete line of WLAN chipsets in the first quarter of 2004. Atheros’ lead-free chipsets are part of the company’s ongoing efforts to be more environmentally friendly and to help customers meet restrictions imposed by various national bodies throughout the world on the use of lead and other restricted materials in electronic products. 

Working with its manufacturing partners, Atheros has developed chipsets that use a tin alloy as an alternative to the lead solder additive that has commonly been used in the chip manufacturing process. Elimination of lead in its chipsets is part of Atheros’ comprehensive effort to minimize the environmental impact of its chips and is part of a complete environmental management system that helps customers comply with various guidelines, including those set forth by the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (Rosh) and the Japanese Ministry of International Trade.

“As an industry-leading wireless chip manufacturer, part of our mission is to develop and make available to our customers products that have little or no negative impact on the environment and the general health of the community here and abroad,” said Paul Franklin, vice president of operations for Atheros. “We will continue to be vigilant regarding changes in environmental regulation globally – which tend to be ever-changing – in order to better help our customers stay abreast of and compliant with regulation.”

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, 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 and the Atheros logo are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc.  All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the 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 Atheros’ lead free products, its compliance with US and international environmental regulations, and the environmental impact of its 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, the impact of changing environmental regulations, difficulties in development and manufacturing of products without the use of lead or other restricted materials, and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Prospectus dated February 11, 2004 as filed with the SEC and from time to time in Atheros’ SEC filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.