|
Newsletters
|
|
|
|
|
|
WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Belkin Brings Airgo True MIMO(TM) Wi-Fi to Mass Consumer Markets
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 9 -- Airgo Networks, a developer of innovative wireless chipset and software solutions, today announced Belkin Corporation as a flagship customer to initiate worldwide retail distribution of True MIMO(TM) wireless products for the consumer market. Belkin will be using Airgo chipsets to produce industry-first wireless Pre-N consumer router and notebook network cards.
The release of Belkin's True MIMO(TM) base router and network card represents the first time consumers have access to Airgo's True MIMO(TM) technology. The WLAN industry is using MIMO technology to enable the 802.11n next generation WLAN standard, earning MIMO its Pre-N moniker. By offering the industry's first consumer-focused MIMO solution, Belkin is taking a strong leadership position in the Wi-Fi market and providing its customers with products possessing unparalleled wireless performance and features.
"The battle for Pre-N is heating up at the same time that consumers are beginning to look for wireless performance characteristics that fit their real world needs," said Eric Tong, VP of marketing and product development for Belkin. "Our Pre-N products with True MIMO(TM) will empower users by providing a wireless network that makes poor coverage issues a thing of the past. Airgo has a substantial lead in both its products and roadmap, making them the ideal wireless technology supplier for our next generation offerings."
True MIMO(TM) was invented by Airgo Networks and embodies the latest generation of wireless technology. It achieves substantially higher performance than any other wireless communication technique by transmitting multiple signals in a single radio channel, thus multiplying both data rates and reliable coverage area without wasting valuable radio spectrum. As a result, Belkin's Pre-N products with True MIMO(TM) technology create a robust wireless connection while providing a larger coverage area with the bandwidth and quality of service needed to run advanced applications, such as streaming video or Voice over IP (VoIP).
These performance advantages remove the limitations experienced with current Wi-Fi products. True MIMO elevates Wi-Fi from the domain of networking experts by giving retail consumers the ability to seamlessly connect even the most demanding applications at real world ranges and without compatibility or interference issues.
"True MIMO(TM) is a breakthrough technology that changes 100 years of thinking in radio communication technology, and fundamentally improves the way wireless works. More importantly, True MIMO provides immense benefits in the areas that Wi-Fi consumers care most about," says Greg Raleigh, CEO and president of Airgo Networks. "MIMO has been chosen as the leading technology to power the upcoming 802.11n high-performance wireless standard because of its robust connections over larger coverage areas and new application capabilities. Dependability rivaling that of wired connections and effortless connectivity at real-world distances is why Belkin's True MIMO(TM) products have ushered in a new era in wireless."
Airgo recently announced other customer and manufacturing partnerships with SOHOware, Planex, Askey and Taiyo Yuden. These relationships demonstrate a substantial lead in the MIMO space making them the clear choice for OEM customers planning to introduce Pre-N MIMO products by late 2004 and early 2005.
Airgo Product Availability
Airgo announced general availability of the AGN 100 chipset product family in fall of 2003. In winter of 2004, Airgo released ODM manufacturing reference designs for Business Access Points, Broadband Consumer Gateways, PC and laptop cardbus modules, Laptop mini-PCI modules and consumer multimedia modules. Enterprise products utilizing the Airgo True MIMO(TM) technology are now available from SOHOware and Planex. Consumer products are available from Belkin with additional retail OEM partners soon to be announced.
About Airgo Networks, Inc.
Airgo Networks develops breakthrough technology and Wireless LAN (WLAN) products that enhance existing applications and enable new applications by substantially improving the quality and convenience of the WLAN user experience. Airgo's chipset, software and reference design solutions provide secure, easy-to-use, standards-compliant WLAN capabilities that work in both the 2.4GHz and 5 GHz bands. Airgo's products are based on the IEEE 802.11 standards (commonly known as Wi-Fi). The breakthrough wireless technology provides cost-effective performance for the most bandwidth-intensive applications, eliminating the need for wires at home, at work, and in public places. Founded in November 2000, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA; an additional development center is located in Breukelen, The Netherlands. Information about Airgo Networks technology and solutions is available at www.airgonetworks.com.
About Belkin Corporation
Belkin Corporation, the global leader in connectivity solutions, offers a range of innovations for the computer, electronics, and mobile consumer. With a diverse and far-reaching product mix consisting of home and enterprise networking, audio video solutions, KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) and peripheral sharing, power protection and cabling, as well as USB and FireWireŽ devices, Belkin extends its reach also to Bluetooth(TM), cellular, PDA, iPod, and other solutions for mobile computing. In addition, Belkin has introduced multiple types of messaging services, that allows users to send or receive e-mail, voice mail, faxes, and mobile text messages through one IP-based portal, from any computer and web-enabled device. Belkin products are available through www.belkin.com as well as through a network of major distributors, resellers, and superstores.
|
|
|
