Telstra rolls out GT MAX "7.2 Ready" data card

November 16, 2006

Option N.V. announced that Telstra is offering Australians the world's fastest cellular connection following the launch of Option's GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready" HSDPA data card as part of the "Next G" wireless mobile broadband service. As well as its cutting-edge performance, Option's GT MAX series features the unique integrated flip-out antenna: for ease and convenience, the antenna is simply retracted for briefcase or carry bag transport without the need to remove the wireless data card from the laptop.

The GT MAX "7.2 Ready" delivers tri-band HSDPA at data speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. Option's next generation wireless data card is already compatible with mobile network infrastructure equipment capable of supporting higher HSDPA data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps. Backward compatibility ensures HSDPA connections at lower data rates of 3.6 Mbps and 1.8 Mbps. The wireless data card also has inherent support for 3G operation at 384 kbps as well as quad-band EDGE and GPRS. Besides operating at 2100MHz, GTMAX also supports Telstra's 850MHz frequencies making use of Telstra's extended geographical 850 MHz footprint. The GT MAX's support for this low frequency band and the build-in Advanced Radio Technology further enhances indoor connectivity.

Jan Callewaert, CEO Option commented: "Working with Telstra has been a major landmark in Option's history. By assisting our customer in Australia complete the world's first commercial deployment of 3.6 Mbps HSDPA with receive diversity, we have enabled Telstra to differentiate its proposition through superior performance while delivering significant operational efficiency gains."