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Miniature antenna vendor, Sarantel, forms US company Response to strong US sales growth in mobile handset and GPS receiver market Wellingborough UK, 30 May 2003. Following a period of substantial US sales growth, leading UK miniature antenna manufacturer, Sarantel, has announced the formation of a US subsidiary, Sarantel Inc. The company's president will be Brad Hurte, who was involved in Sarantel's innovative antenna technology during his time at Symmetricom where it was originally developed. Sarantel's antennas, which are based on high-dielectric ceramics, bring a number of advantages to mobile handsets and other portable wireless devices such as GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products. Sarantel's antennas are ideal for applications where performance is critical in hand-held devices or in RF-hostile environments. The subject of over 100 US and international patent filings, the high-dielectric ceramic antenna technology produces a very small near-field that doesn't yield energy to the user's hand, body, or head and therefore does not suffer the proximity de-tuning effects common with conventional antennas. This is a significant advantage, particularly when applied to new-generation 3G mobile handsets which offer data rates of up to 2Mb/second. The antennas also exhibit a very high beamwidth which can offer significant performance advantages. For example, using Sarantel's antenna means that hand-held GPS receivers can acquire more satellites and thereby offer a faster and more accurate position fix. This is particularly important when GPS functionality is incorporated into mobile handsets to conform with US emergency E-911 location reporting requirements. "We are very pleased to have attracted Brad to Sarantel," commented CEO, Barrie Foley. "Brad was involved in the original development and marketing of Sarantel's innovative technology when he worked with our co-founder Oliver Leisten at Symmetricom. We have always been committed to the US market and Brad's appointment and the formation of Sarantel Inc. fully demonstrate that commitment. Brad's experience and knowledge of the product and market will accelerate Sarantel's success in the US marketplace." Brad brings over 15 years of experience in diverse areas of telecommunications, including components, sub-systems, and systems with both established companies and start-ups. In his previous experience with Sarantel's antenna technology, Brad was responsible for the selection of markets and applications in which Sarantel is currently enjoying commercial success. "Brad's keen market sense plus his broad business and executive experience made him an ideal choice to head up our US operations," added Barrie Foley. Headquartered in the Seattle area, a center for wireless communications companies and technologies, Sarantel Inc. will be responsible for all sales, marketing, customer service, and design support activities in the US and North America. "I am very pleased to be returning to an exciting opportunity that has now grown from a promising technology to a commercial success. Sarantel Inc. will provide a local base needed to support US customers," commented Brad Hurte. "We will put together a team in the US to complement the world-class engineering and support team in the UK. This is a global business with local focus."