Europe : Option N.V. announced the latest addition to its comprehensive range of wireless data cards: the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™. The GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ is the world’s first 5-band wireless data card combining 3G UMTS at 2100 MHz for EMEA markets and Quad band GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz for worldwide markets in a single PC data card. The data card is already shipping to mobile network operators.

Jan Callewaert, CEO at Option: “We have seen a significant increase in demand from the professional global traveller to have access to E-mail, Internet and Corporate Intranet services. This 5-band GlobeTrotter wireless data card enables the transatlantic user to take advantage of the extensive 850/1900 MHz services in the US markets whilst also being compatible with 3G and GPRS networks across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. With the addition of the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ we are now commercially shipping a portfolio of six GlobeTrotter wireless data card products to our network operator customers worldwide.”

OTHER PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

• 5-band wireless data card suitable for use on 3G UMTS networks at 2100 MHz for EMEA markets and Quad band GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz for worldwide markets
• On a 3G network, the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ enables a connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps
• GlobeTrotter PC Card format (Extended Type II PCMCIA compliant and 32-bit CardBus PC Card interface)
• GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ provides transparent handover between UMTS and GPRS networks
• Supports IPSec client software for end-to-end secure corporate data exchange and synchronisation over VPN
• Future proof through user upgradeable Flash Memory technology
• Compatible with nearly all popular notebook PC’s equipped with PCMCIA slot and Microsoft Windows Operating System
• GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ support for MAC O/S and Linux on request
• GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ is customisable for mobile network operators and IT manufacturers.

In addition to the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ wireless data card, Option offers its premier GlobeTrotter Mobility Manager™ software enabling users of the card to have fast, simple and easy access to wireless data whilst hiding from the user the complexity of underlying wireless 3G UMTS and GPRS technologies. In conjunction with Option’s mobile IP solution the user will be able to seamlessly roam between access technologies 3G and 2G with automatic authentication using GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ inbuilt support for PC Smart Card and EAP-SIM.

The GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD ™ further complements and enhances Option’s current range of GlobeTrotter wireless data cards: GlobeTrotter (GPRS), GlobeTrotter COMBO (GPRS/WLAN), GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE (EDGE/GPRS/WLAN), GlobeTrotter 3G (3G UMTS/GPRS) and GlobeTrotter FUSION (3G UMTS/GPRS/WLAN).