NETGEAR Ships Industry's First 802.11a/b Dual Band Wireless Networking PC Card

Latest wireless technology protects customer investment by offering complete compatibility with any IEEE wireless networking standard in the 2.4GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — September 30, 2002 — NETGEAR, Inc., a worldwide provider of easy-to-use, high performance networking products at prices affordable to homes and growing businesses, today announced the launch of the NETGEAR Dual Band PC Card (WAB501), the industry’s first 802.11a/b dual band wireless networking PC card to ship. The dual band wireless PC card is a critical element in facilitating customers’ smooth transition to the faster 802.11a wireless standard.

Unlike other non-standards based solutions offering proprietary modes which are not compatible in all environments, the NETGEAR Dual Band PC Card is a completely standards based high speed solution that is both backward and forward compatible with any IEEE wireless networking standard in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The Dual Band PC Card protects customer investment in wireless infrastructure operating in the 2.4GHz band such as the widely deployed 802.11b standard, while being compatible with the newer, higher-speed 802.11a wireless products that deliver faster data transfer rates in the 5GHz band. Additionally, it will be compatible with future standards planned for the 2.4 GHz band, such as 802.11g. Now NETGEAR’s home and business customers have the flexibility to be connected at the fastest wireless speeds possible through the 802.11a standard where it is available, while also being connected to the more common 802.11b standard in such places as public hot spots.

"Dual mode 802.11a/b PC Cards offer a big first – client connectivity with complete compatibility," said Mike Wolf Director, Enterprise and Residential Connectivity, In-Stat/MDR. "Whether its 802.11b in 2.4 GHz band or the faster 802.11a in the 5 GHz band, these products will enable the ability to communicate with any widely deployed wireless LAN infrastructure. Additionally, these products are debuting at consumer friendly prices, meaning they will be a good fit for both the home and business wireless LAN market."

"As with our 802.11a launch, NETGEAR is excited once again to be first in the industry to ship a highly anticipated, cutting-edge networking technology," stated Patrick Lo, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of NETGEAR. "Customers will recognize NETGEAR’s Dual Band PC Card as the fastest way to network without wires while maintaining complete compatibility with IEEE wireless standards."

"Dual-band products are an important factor to broadening WLAN adoption to more users," said Rich Redelfs, president and CEO of Atheros Communications. "NETGEAR recognizes this market need and is providing leadership with its combo solution. This new high speed standards based product based on the Atheros chipset will help remove barriers to purchase and upgrade of existing 802.11b wireless networks to the newer, faster, more secure 802.11a technology."

The NETGEAR Dual Band PC Card (WAB501) supports both 802.11b and 802.11a wireless networking standards providing maximum data rates of 11Mbps and 54Mbps respectively, (108Mbps in 802.11a "Turbo" mode). With up to 152 bit-WEP encryption it offers the highest-level, industry standard security.

Based on Atheros' (AR5001X) WLAN chipset technology, the Dual Band PC Card automatically roams between 802.11a and 802.11b networks, while providing an option to only enable roaming in either 802.11a or 802.11b networks. The 32-bit WAB501 CardBus adapter supports Ad hoc and infrastructure modes and includes an intuitive installation assistant that enhances ease of set up and use. The included NETGEAR Wireless LAN Manager software enables customers to create profiles that reflect specific WLAN settings for each place customers may roam, be it the corporate network or home. In addition, this software utility also provides a station listing of all available wireless access points in any given area.

Backed by a three-year warranty and 24/7 technical support, the NETGEAR WAB501 Dual Band PC Card ($180 list price) is available in October via systems integrators, retailers, catalogues, and e-commerce sites.

About NETGEAR Inc.
NETGEAR provides branded, easy-to-use, reliable and technologically advanced networking solutions for homes and small businesses. Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara, Calif., NETGEAR designs and develops products that enable home and small business users to share Internet access, peripherals, digital content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. NETGEAR primarily markets and sells its products through distributors based in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region to a network of resellers, including more than 4,500 retail stores, mail order catalogs and online retailers. NETGEAR was recently named to Deloitte & Touche’s "Technology Fast 500" and to its "2001 Technology Fast 50" for Silicon Valley. For more information visit the company’s Web site at www.netgear.com or call (408.907.8000).

For more information:
Doug Hagan
NETGEAR Inc.
(408) 907-8053
doug.hagan@netgear.com

Ken Hagihara
Integirty Public Relations
(949) 768-4423
ken@integritypr.net