US : Option N.V. announced that Cingular, the largest wireless network operator in the U.S., has selected the company's recently introduced GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE data card enabling subscribers high-speed wireless access across EDGE, GPRS and WLAN/Wi-Fi networks. Product shipments will begin following Cingular's commercial roll-out plans.

Cingular Wireless has more than 46 million subscribers and offers customers access to the largest digital voice and data network in the United States. Customers using the company's EDGE network have access to the fastest national wireless data network in the U.S. The company also offers WiFi service in a number of hotspots, including several airports.

Jan Callewaert, CEO of Option, commented: "After achieving market leadership in Europe, entering the US market was an important strategic goal for our company. The quad-band GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE data card was developed with the U.S. market in mind. Cingular's EDGE/Wi-Fi strategy was the perfect opportunity to introduce our product. We are delighted that, despite strong competition, our product was chosen. This agreement, Option's first important data card contract in the US, is another endorsement of the quality of our products and our customer focus."

Option's GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE data card is currently the only commercially shipping quad band data card in the world that incorporates EDGE/GPRS and 802.11b/g WLAN/Wi-Fi access technologies and has PCTRB & FCC US certifications as well as European certifications. The data card offers unique features such as the Option patented flip-out antenna design.

Under the terms of the agreement Option will brand and customize the data card according to Cingular specifications. On an EDGE network the GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE data card enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 247 kbps. When in range of a public Wi-Fi hotspot, a corporate wireless network or a home wireless network, the GlobeTrotter COMBO EDGE data card provides connection at speeds up to 54Mbps. In areas where EDGE or Wi-Fi services are not available the data card still enables reliable and secure data connections over traditional GPRS.

Separately, Option announced it has set up a local and dedicated Northern American sales team to manage the relationship with Cingular as well as to further develop the U.S. market.