Atheros and Wilocity Partner to Build Tri-Band Wireless Solutions That Combine Wi-Fi and WiGig Technologies

CAESAREA, Israel & SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wilocity, a leading developer of 60 GHz multi-gigabit wireless chipsets for the mobile computing, consumer electronics and peripheral markets, and Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications, today announced that they are collaborating to build tri-band wireless solutions that combine the ubiquity and coverage of Wi-Fi^® with the multi-gigabit performance of the Wireless Gigabit (WiGig™) Alliance’s 60 GHz technology. Such “tri-band” capabilities will enhance the performance and functionality of wireless devices to enable a variety of new computing and entertainment applications.

“Atheros is a leader in dual-band Wi-Fi technology and Wilocity is a pioneer in 60 GHz multi-gigabit wireless technology”

Many devices and networks use dual-band 802.11n, which operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, to share broadband connections, videos, music, photos and other content throughout a home or enterprise. Advanced 60 GHz technologies offer multi-gigabit speeds to complement existing Wi-Fi capabilities and enable new cutting-edge wireless applications. Tri-band devices that leverage all three bands will also maintain compatibility with the hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi products in use today, ensuring a seamless and simple user experience.

Atheros and Wilocity are jointly developing tri-band solutions based on both the IEEE 802.11n standard and the new WiGig multi-gigabit wireless specification. By integrating and optimizing Wi-Fi and WiGig solutions, the two companies aim to accelerate the design of tri-band wireless products and enable the next-generation wireless ecosystem.

As respective leaders in Wi-Fi and 60 GHz, Atheros and Wilocity are shaping the future of wireless technology by participating in the IEEE, the WiGig Alliance and the Wi-Fi Alliance^®. Atheros serves on the board of directors for both the WiGig Alliance and Wi-Fi Alliance; Wilocity serves on the WiGig board and chairs its Marketing Work Group.

Supporting Quotes:

“Atheros is a leader in dual-band Wi-Fi technology and Wilocity is a pioneer in 60 GHz multi-gigabit wireless technology,” said Philip Solis, research director at ABI Research. “By working together to develop tri-band products, Atheros and Wilocity will allow customers to quickly realize the value of tri-band solutions and deliver on the promise of next-generation Wi-Fi.”
“Wilocity is taking its breakthrough 60 GHz technology and combining it with the industry’s most widely adopted Wi-Fi technology,” said Tal Tamir, CEO and co-founder, Wilocity. “Atheros is the leading innovator in Wi-Fi technology. As fellow visionaries in the future of Wi-Fi technology, our partnership will make tri-band wireless networking a reality for consumers.”
“Next-generation networks will employ a variety of technologies and devices to support the explosive demand for digital media, cloud services and constant connectivity,” said Gary Szilagyi, vice president of Atheros’ Computing and Consumer Business Unit. “Wilocity’s 60 GHz technology is a game-changer for the wireless industry, and is a natural complement to our existing Wi-Fi portfolio. We are collaborating with them to quickly deliver solutions that combine best-in-class technologies and extend our leadership in this burgeoning market.”

Supporting Resources:

To download the Atheros logo: http://tinyurl.com/atheroslogo
Visit the Wilocity website: http://www.wilocity.com
For more information on Wilocity’s technology: The Future of Wireless Technology is Here: Introducing “Truly Wireless” with wPCIe™
For information about the new WiGig specification: http://www.wigig.org/specifications

About Wilocity

Wilocity is a leading developer of next-generation 60 GHz multi-gigabit wireless chipsets for the mobile computing, consumer electronics and peripheral markets that will enable mobile device manufacturers to deliver the thin and light platforms that consumers want without sacrificing the performance and functionality that consumers need. Based on the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig) specification, Wilocity’s Wireless PCI Express (wPCIe™) technology will enable truly multi-gigabit wireless for a wide range of applications from I/O to networking to video. For more information, please visit http://www.wilocity.com or read Wilocity’s wPCIe whitepaper.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.atheros.com.

Wilocity™ and wPCIe™ are trademarks of Wilocity. Atheros and the Atheros logo are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the parties’ plans to develop and build tri-band wireless solutions, the expected capability of tri-band solutions to enhance the performance and functionality of wireless devices to enable new computing and entertainment applications, the anticipated compatibility of the tri-band devices with existing wireless networking products and standards, and the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Atheros and Wilocity, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the risk that the proposed tri-band wireless solutions will not function as intended, difficulties in the development and integration of the technologies, the risk that the benefits from the collaboration may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, competition, technological change and their effects on pricing, and the risks detailed in Atheros’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other reports filed with the SEC by Atheros from time to time. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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