Atheros and Lenovo Win CMP Media’s Well-Connected Award for Best Wireless-enabled Notebook Computer

LenovoThinkPad T43 Featuring Atheros 802.11a/g Technology Delivers Best Combination of Performance and Power Efficiency

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 8, 2006 — Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced that CMP Media LLC’s Network Computing has selected the Lenovo ThinkPad T43 laptop featuring Atheros’ 802.11a/g technology as the 2006 Well-Connected Award Winner in the “Wireless-Enabled Notebook Computer” category. Network Computing reported that the Lenovo-based, dual-band notebook offers enterprises enhanced performance and scalability. It also provides, via the Atheros wireless LAN (WLAN) chipset, the best combination of performance and power efficiency of any dual-band wireless solution ever tested by the publication’s staff.

“The Well-Connected Awards are unique because they’re the only industry awards given by technologists based on real-world use and integration. We view all products, technologies and services from the same perspective as our readers – our peers – do,” said John Siefert, Publisher of Network Computing. “This is an important distinction from any other award program – the products selected in the Well-Connected Awards have been tested in an actual business environment and judged by our editors themselves. They are truly innovative solutions that work – and we have the metrics to prove it.”

The Lenovo ThinkPad T43 notebook integrates the Atheros AR5004X 802.11a/g Mini PCI adapter reference design, a high performance, dual-band solution that supports either 802.11g or 802.11a networks.

The use of dual-band WLAN in laptops is growing rapidly, particularly in the enterprise. This growth is driven by a variety of factors including the virtually interference-free operation of 5 GHz networks, which utilize 24 non-overlapping channels versus 2.4 GHz networks operating on only three channels.

“Dual-band solutions offer optimal flexibility and should be the first choice for any enterprise considering a large wireless networking deployment or anticipating future network expansion,” said Todd Antes, vice president of marketing of Atheros. “Atheros’ dual-band technology delivers the highest wireless performance and scalability to meet enterprise requirements. We are excited to share this Well-Connected Wireless Award with a mobile computing leader like Lenovo.”

The Atheros AR5004X is a highly integrated, dual-band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz WLAN solution that provides universal wireless connectivity between any 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g network. Its power-saving design improvements reduce system power by 60 percent over competitors’ dual-band solutions. The AR5004X chipset also provides support for 802.11i security and wireless multimedia quality of service (QoS) specifications.

For more information on the Atheros AR5004X, please visit AR5004X Bulletin. For more information about the Lenovo T43 laptop, please visit www.lenovo.com.

About Network Computing

Network Computing is the trusted information source which helps 220,000 Technology Leaders turn business strategy into reality. The editorial team consists of real-world IT veterans who provide objective information and analysis on technologies and solutions that are tested in IT media’s only Real-World Labs – a setting which mirrors our audience’s work environment. Network Computing’s critical analysis of market solutions and their impact on an organization is infused in every aspect of the brand, from the award-winning publication and networkcomputing.com, to NWCReports.com, and the events such as the Expert Series Tour and Technology Leader Forum. Network Computing is consistently honored for its editorial excellence, garnering accolades from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), as well as winning Maggie Awards from Western Publications Association and Folio magazine’s Ozzie Awards.

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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NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the forecast for future growth of the use of dual-band WLAN in laptops, 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 growth of the WLAN market and the effects of competing technologies; general economic conditions; and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 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.