Atheros and UTStarcom Collaborate
on Feature-Rich, Ultra-Thin PAS Handset in China
UTStarcom Leverages Atheros AR1900 to
Deliver X30, One of China’s Best-Selling PAS Mobile Phones
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 26,
2006—Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer
of advanced wireless solutions, today announced that its single-chip solution
for the PAS (Personal Access System) cellular market in China, the AR1900, is
featured in UTStarcom’s ultra-thin X30 PAS handset. Since its launch in April
2006, the X30 has become a best-selling PAS handset model in China. UTStarcom
has implemented the AR1900 solution to deliver a complete portfolio of
full-featured yet low-cost mobile handsets for the growing PAS market.
The newest addition to UTStarcom’s iPAS™ family, the
razor-thin X30, is only 10 mm thick and weighs less than 60 grams. In part, the
product’s success stems from its extremely thin form factor, which hides the
antenna inside the mobile phone for a trendy look that appeals to Chinese
consumers.
The X30 has an impressive set of features including a
1.5-inch color LCD screen, MP3 ringtone and games, which make it a must-have
mobile fashion accessory. In addition to its streamlined design, it offers
reliable voice connectivity through seamless handover between PAS base stations
that are now prevalent throughout Chinese metropolitan markets. Despite its
small size, the X30 offers impressive battery life with up to 300 hours of
standby and seven hours of talk time.
“UTStarcom’s family of iPAS solutions is evolving to
satisfy growing consumer demand for enhanced phone features like the color
display and personalized ringtone delivered in ultra-thin designs,” said John
Yang, Senior VP, General Manger of UTStarcom’s Terminals Business China
Operations. “Atheros’ high-performance, cost-effective AR1900 design has enabled
us to simultaneously produce market hits while increasing our PAS handset profit
margin. We look forward to growing our PAS portfolio and providing compelling
handsets like the X30 at price points that result in mainstream adoption.”
The Atheros’AR1900 is a complete, highly integrated,
low-cost handset solution that includes a cellular transceiver, baseband,
application processor, audio paths, power management, keypad, display and USB
interfaces. The solution’s enhanced features, compact size and power-saving
technology are designed to enable manufacturers to develop smaller, less
expensive PAS handsets.
“UTStarcom has been an ideal partner, fulfilling Atheros’
vision to provide the highest performance and lowest cost for PAS handsets,”
said Jason Zheng, vice president of Asia Pacific for Atheros. “They have
leveraged the Atheros AR1900 solution to its full advantage in the X30 handset,
which is already a market-proven success.”
UTStarcom sells PAS handsets in mainland China, Taiwan,
Vietnam and South America, and has captured approximately 50 percent of the PAS
equipment market outside of Japan. For more information about the X30, please
visit here.
For more information about the Atheros AR1900, please visit
here.
About UTStarcom, Inc.
UTStarcom is a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end
networking solutions and international service and support. The company sells
its broadband, wireless, and handset solutions to operators in both emerging and
established telecommunications markets around the world. UTStarcom enables its
customers to rapidly deploy revenue-generating access services using their
existing infrastructure, while providing a migration path to cost-efficient,
end-to-end IP networks. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda,
California, the company has research and design operations in the United States,
Canada, China, Korea and India. UTStarcom is a FORTUNE 1000 company.
For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company’s
Web site at
www.utstar.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 and networking
equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit
www.atheros.com or send email to
info@atheros.com.
# # #
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Except for the historical information
contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the
features, benefits and performance of Atheros’ AR1900 product and UTStarcom’s
PAS products; the anticipated future growth and mainstream adoption of PAS, and
the anticipated growth and success of UTStarcom’s PAS portfolio of 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 growth of the PAS market and the effects of
competing technologies; the effects of competition in the PAS market;
difficulties in developing and manufacturing new and enhanced products and
technologies; general economic conditions; and other risks detailed in Atheros’
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its
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.
