NEC VERSAPRO TABLET PC FEATURES ATHEROS SUPER AG TECHNOLOGY.

Atheros Communications' (NASDAQ:ATHR), AR5004X chipset featuring Super AG technology has been embedded into the new NEC VersaPro VY11F/GL-R Tablet PC. Consumers who want the ability to take their ultra lightweight tablet PC anywhere in the home or office and still stay connected to the Internet, network resources or email will be able to take advantage of a wireless option employing Atheros' high-performance 802.11a/b/g technology.

The NEC VersaPro VY11F/GL-R, which began shipping in the Japan market on September 30, is the world's thinnest and lightest tablet PC. It measures only 11 millimeters (less than one-half inch) in total thickness and weighs a mere 899 grams (less than two pounds). Users can easily handwrite notes using the tablet's pen on top of the VersaPro's liquid-crystal display (LCD) protected glass. The wireless-equipped tablet PC can transmit notes to co-workers instantly and can also be used to highlight key points in a presentation during business meetings. Atheros' wireless technology helps to unwire the VersaPro in the enterprise.

"Today's wireless LAN products not only must offer high performance, but also must consume less power in order to extend battery-life and mobile operation," said Colin Macnab, vice president of marketing and business development at Atheros Communications. "NEC's new tablet PC is a powerful PC packaged into a compact, lightweight form-factor. Super AG technology offers the best wireless LAN performance, and its fast data rates mean the radio is on for less time transmitting or receiving data, which ultimately prolongs the mobile device's operation between charges."

Additional features of the NEC VersaPro VY11F/GL-R tablet PC include an Intel Pentium M processor, an ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chipset, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, 20 gigabyte (GB) hard drive and a 10.4-inch TFT XGA display.

About Super AG Technology

Atheros' popular Super AG technology employs performance-enhancement features -- including packet bursting, fast frames, and data compression -- that improve the throughput and range of wireless networking products. Super AG supports up to 54 megabits-per-second (Mbps) data link rates for users in Japan, with typical end-user throughputs as high as 40 Mbps. Outside Japan, with an additional dynamic turbo mode activated, the technology can achieve throughputs of more than 60 Mbps for typical data. This is the highest throughput performance available on the market today.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a developer of semiconductor system solutions for wireless communications products. Atheros combines its wireless systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by a broad base of customers, including personal computer and networking equipment manufacturers.

Atheros Communications can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.atheros.com/.

For more information, call 408/773-5344.