Europe Netherlands : Option N.V. continues the successful execution of its HSDPA strategy with the announcement and initial shipment of a new product within its HSDPA portfolio - the GlobeTrotter HSDPA.

The new data card delivers speeds of up to 1.8Mbps over an HSDPA network - 4,5 times faster than maximum data rates available over 3G UMTS. If no HSDPA network is available the data card will automatically establish the fastest possible connection using 3G, EDGE or GPRS. The GlobeTrotter HSDPA is already shipping in support of the commercial roll-out plans of network operators in EMEA.

Jan Callewaert, CEO Option, said: “The launch of this product is a key step in Option’s strategy to support its operator partners and their customers through this technological change. Where HSDPA has already been launched, our new data card delivers the highest possible mobile data rates ‘out-of-the-box’. Where 3G operators are still deploying the enhanced technology, our ‘HSDPA-Ready’ cards empower operators to maintain their wireless broadband marketing and sales momentum without disadvantaging their customers.”

Serving nearly 3.4 million customers, Mobilkom Austria will become one of the first operators to offer Option’s new HSDPA data card when it starts retailing the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card Broadband (HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE) today. At the same time, a free software upgrade to HSDPA will be made available (at www.A1.net/hsdpaupgrade) to any Mobilkom’s customers who previously purchased the UMTS+EDGE ‘HSDPA Ready’ card.

Announced in September 2005, Option’s ‘GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE HSDPA-Ready’ and ‘GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA-Ready’ data cards have helped sustain strong demand for wireless data solutions by empowering new users to enjoy the benefits of 3G safe in the knowledge that their data card can be upgraded simply when HSDPA becomes available from their operator.

As soon as an operator is ready to launch HSDPA within its territory, a simple firmware upgrade, made available via a website, is sufficient to release the full power of 1.8 Mbps HSDPA.