LEUVEN, Belgium, June 14 - - Option (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the
wireless technology company, today announced that its GlobeSurfer(R) ICON
HSUPA USB modems are playing an important role in the preparations for the
commercial launch of HSUPA by KTF in Korea. Korea is one of the world's
pioneering markets for advanced mobile multimedia services. Option's
GlobeSurfer(R) ICON HSUPA USB modem combines sleek, stylish design with
impressive downlink and uplink speeds enabling consumers to experience the
full benefits of mobile multimedia.
On March 1st 2007, KTF launched its nationwide HSDPA network. Reaching
99 per cent of the Korean population, the HSDPA service offers superior
coverage to KTF's existing CDMA network and is marketed under the SHOW brand
to emphasise the shift from voice and low-speed data, to high-speed data,
video, and, for the first time in Korea, automatic international roaming
services. Since the HSDPA launch the Korean operator has seen its WCDMA/HSDPA
customer base increase by a factor of nearly ten from 64,000 at the end of
February to 617,000 at the end of May.
Option is now supplying GlobeSurfer(R) ICON HSUPA USB modems to assist
KTF in the next phase of the development of its HSPA service portfolio: the
roll-out of HSUPA. Increasing data rates to 7.2 Mbps downlink and 2 Mbps
uplink and network capacity while reducing latency, HSUPA will enrich diverse
services such as live video shows, high-quality multi-media messaging, video
sharing services, multimedia instant messaging, user created contents and
mobile blogging.
KTF (Korea Telecom Freetel, KSE: 032390, KOSPI: KTF) is a South Korean
telecommunications firm, specializing in cellular, or mobile, phones. The two
major shareholders of KTF are KT (44.55%) and NTT DoCoMo (10.03%).
About Option
Option, the wireless technology company, is a leading innovator in the
design, development and manufacture of 3G WCDMA (HSPA and UMTS), EDGE, GPRS,
GSM and WLAN technology products for wireless connectivity solutions. Option
has built up an enviable reputation for creating exciting products that
enhance the performance and functionality of wireless communications. Option's
headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium. The company has Research & Development in
Leuven and Duesseldorf (Germany), a Software and Applications development
centre in Adelsried (Germany), a Wireless Router development centre in
Stockholm (Sweden), an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility
in Cork, Ireland. Option also has sales & support operations in the US, Japan,
Hong Kong and Taiwan. For more information please visit www.option.com.
