Optus to Introduce PC Cards with 3G and Wi-Fi

Option N.V. will supply the GlobeTrotter FUSION QUAD and the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD PC cards to Australian mobile operator Optus. The company will launch these cards to support the commercial launch of broadband wireless data cards in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, the Brisbane CBD, and airport locations in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, as well as 630 partner Wi-Fi Hotspot locations operated by Azure.

The GlobeTrotter wireless data cards, commercialized as part of the "Optus Wireless Connect" program, are customized and sold in Australia under the 'Yes' Optus brand.

Both GlobeTrotter FUSION QUAD and the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD work on 3G networks, enabling cellular connection to the internet at data speeds of up to 384 Kbps.

When within range of a public WiFi hotspot, corporate wireless LAN or home wireless network the GlobeTrotter FUSION QUAD, with integrated WLAN/Wi-Fi functionality, provides connection at speeds up to 54 Mbps.

In areas where 3G or WiFi services are not available both the GlobeTrotter FUSION QUAD and the GlobeTrotter 3G QUAD will fallback to the GPRS service.

Optus provides a range of communications services including mobile services. According to the company, Optus' Mobile business unit has captured around one third of the total Australian GSM mobile market. In 2001 SingTel (Singapore Exchange) became the parent company of Optus.

Optus Mobile is also a member of the "Bridge Mobile Alliance". This alliance is a joint venture of 7 leading Asia Pacific mobile operators that looks at driving commercial and other benefits for the operators and delivering regional mobile services to their subscribers. Together, the group has a combined base of over 56 million subscribers, making it the largest mobile joint venture in the Asia Pacific region.