Samsung Notebook PCs Feature Integrated 802.11g WLAN Capability and Super G® Technology from Atheros Communications

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 25, 2004—Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced that its 802.11g chipset technology and Super G® performance enhancements have been integrated into new notebook PCs from Samsung Electronics that will begin shipping in Korea and other major worldwide markets in late October.

Samsung's new P28 Series notebooks will enable users to enjoy high-performance 802.11g wireless connectivity at home, in the office, or at thousands of public wireless "hot spots." The notebooks feature Atheros Super G technology, which provides the world's highest performance wireless networking capabilities as measured by end-user throughput and range. The PCs will be labeled with Atheros Super G logo stickers to help users identify the advanced feature set capabilities of the product.

Atheros Super G technology offers a combination of innovative features – packet bursting, fast frames, data compression, and dynamic turbo mode – that improve the throughput and range of wireless networking products. The technology supports data link rates of up to 108 megabits-per-second (Mbps) and enables end-user throughput of more than 60 Mbps. This is the highest throughput available on the market today, delivering performance that is up to ten times faster than standard 802.11b products.

In addition to offering industry-leading throughput and range capabilities, the Atheros WLAN solution that is incorporated into Samsung's notebooks also supports the industry’s most robust wireless security standard, IEEE 802.11i. An AES encryption engine is built into the hardware of all Atheros 802.11a/g and 802.11g chipsets, allowing real-time encryption without any performance degradation. Atheros also supports the draft 802.11e Quality of Service (QoS) specifications, providing advanced features for delivering wired-quality video and audio content via a wireless connection.

“We are very pleased to be teaming with Samsung to bring high-performance Wi-Fi capabilities to consumers in Korea and around the world,” said Craig Barratt, president and chief executive officer of Atheros Communications. “Our Super G technology lets users take immediate advantage of the industry’s premier solution for high-throughput 802.11g wireless networking.”

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, and Super G are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. 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 features, performance, capabilities and benefits of Atheros’ and Samsung’s products; and the incorporation of Atheros’ wireless technology into Samsung’s notebook PC 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 Samsung continues to incorporate Atheros’ products into its notebook PCs; the effects of competition; the rate of growth of the market for personal computers; general economic conditions in Korea and other global markets; 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.