
Europe
: Option N.V. announced, as a result of the acquisition of the wireless
router business of Possio, the GlobeSurfer(R) 3G unveiling the companies
first product aimed at the Fixed-Mobile substitution market.
The first customer to take
the GlobeSurfer(R) 3G product is O2 in Germany. O2 has kicked of a
marketing campaign for the wireless router and is commercialising
the product under the surf@Home brand. The product is fully customised
to the exacting requirements of O2. Shipments of the surf@Home II
product for O2 have commenced to coincide with their recent market
launch at the beginning of this month.
The GlobeSurfer(R) 3G is
a broadband wireless router that facilitates a gateway between a Wide
Area cellular network (UMTS or GPRS technologies) and a Local Wireless
Wi-Fi network. Any PC, laptop or hand-held computer device being equipped
with WLAN is able, through use of the Wireless Router "Gateway",
to simultaneously share a single cellular wireless connection and
gain broadband access to the Internet. The product, with inbuilt comprehensive
security and authentication mechanisms, is focused on mass deployment
of Internet connectivity services using the data capabilities of today's
3G UMTS networks.
Designed with ease of use
in mind the GlobeSurfer(R) 3G is characterized by its simplicity,
including a web-based user interface. In addition to the functions
typical of wireless routers it provides many extra features which
make it a perfect solution for a SOHO/SME requiring fixed-mobile access
to the Internet, Email, and the Corporate Intranet. The product enables
mobile network operators to enhance their service offerings and take
advantage of the business opportunities in the fixed-mobile substitution
markets.
As with the GlobeTrotter(R)
data cards from Option the GlobeSurfer(R) products can be customized
to the requirements of each network operator.
O2 is a leading provider
of mobile communications services in Europe, with wholly owned businesses
in Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Isle of Man. The company
has nearly 25 million customers. O2 Germany remains the fastest growing
operator in Germany. It experienced strong service revenue growth
for the full financial year ended 31 March 2005, driven by the continuing
rapid growth in the customer base.
Pioneered by O2 Germany,
surf@home is the first product of its kind in Europe to integrate
3G and wireless LAN technologies into a single, compact box for use
in the home or office. Customers simply use their PC, PDA or notebook
across a wireless LAN via the box and out over the 3G network to access
the Internet at speeds of up to six times greater than ISDN.
O2 became a founding member
of Starmap Mobile Alliance in October 2003, a group of independent
mobile phone operators who are joining forces in readiness for the
international rollout of UMTS services. Starmap aims to provide a
"home-away-from-home" experience by introducing seamless
roaming and multimedia connectivity to more than 46 million customers
in ten European countries.