Actiontec Now Shipping 802.11a Wireless Networking Card; New Card Offers Faster Network Access using 5GHz Frequency.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2001

Actiontec Electronics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of broadband-based application and Internet access products, has made high-speed wireless networking a reality with the release of its 802.11a Wireless Networking Card. The new card will give users of home and office networks access to their files and peripherals at speeds that will leave others in the dust.

Designed to fit into any notebook, handheld or desktop computer equipped with a 32-bit Cardbus port, the 802.11a Wireless Networking Card gives you access to your network at speeds up to 54 Mpbs. And, since it operates within the 5 GHz communications band, there's less interference from other devices. Also, because the 802.11a Wireless Networking Card operates on a different frequency, it can coexist with other networks, including those based on 802.11b wireless technology.

Actiontec's 802.11a Wireless Networking Card offers individuals and corporations the ability to wirelessly access their local network at much faster speeds. Now you can route print jobs from multiple computers to a printer, access a scanner or transfer large files and presentations between PCs faster and more efficiently, all without wires. Plus there is no loss of quality or dropped screens when viewing DVD movies or playing back MP3 or other multimedia files, giving true, high-speed broadband access to your network.

The new card utilizes Radio-on-a-Chip technology developed by Atheros Communications Inc., which enables users to access everything on their networks at blazing speeds up to 54 Mbps. It also operates within the 5 GHz communications band, where the interference from other products is expected to be less in the near term. This results in a stronger signal and increases your ability to connect at higher speeds.

The Actiontec 802.11a Wireless Networking Card is scheduled to hit store shelves in January with a suggested retail price of $149. The card is also compatible with any computer or network running Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 98SE, NT 4.0, Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Windows XP and supports ad-hoc networking with other wireless devices and other 802.11a compliant access points.

Other features of the 802.11a Wireless Networking Card include:

- Faster, more efficient access to the Internet, providing true broadband
access to the worldwide web when using a cable or DSL modem. You can also
access the Internet from multiple computers at the same time without
sacrificing bandwidth.

- Share printers and other devices - wirelessly.

- Provide more mobility for laptop computers.

About Actiontec

Actiontec Electronics, Inc. is a leading supplier of analog and broadband devices designed to facilitate or leverage Internet access. The company's complete line of DSL, router, wireless LAN, Internet telephony, and analog products includes the industry's first call waiting modems, home DSL modems and wireless home gateways. Actiontec products have been recognized with a Best of Show award at Retail Xchange, Editors Choice awards from CNET's computers.com and homePCnetwork.com, and Top 100 Products of the Year from Computer Shopper. Actiontec products are available through national distribution, retail outlets, and Actiontec's online store as well as through private label and Tier 1 OEM relationships. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and maintains branch offices in Arlington, VA; Austin, TX; Colorado Springs, CO; Irvine, CA; Reading, United Kingdom; China and Taiwan. For more information, phone [phone], fax [phone], or visit http://www.actiontec.com.

Actiontec and the Actiontec logo are trademarks of Actiontec Electronics, Inc. All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.