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NETGEAR Expands Asian Footprint With Selection of SOFTBANK BB Corp. as Sole Product Distributor in Japan Thursday December 4, 7:30 pm ET Networking Products Company Enhances Presence in Retail Market With Increased On-Site Personnel, Improved Service Program, and Relationship with Japan`s Leading Broadband Services Provider SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NETGEAR, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR - News), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with SOFTBANK BB Corp. (SBB), one of Japan`s largest broadband communications carriers and IT distributors, for the exclusive distribution of NETGEAR`s products in Japan. The appointment of SBB will increase NETGEAR`s brand and product awareness for both business and consumer product lines in Asia`s foremost market. "We are delighted to have a partner in Japan as prestigious and qualified as SBB as we look to accelerate NETGEAR`s growth in Asia," said Patrick Lo, chairman and chief executive officer of NETGEAR. "We currently derive about ten percent of our revenue from the Asia-Pacific region, but due to the faster roll-out of last-mile broadband networks in Japan, and the consumers` fascination with all things wireless, we see the country as offering us very attractive growth potential. While we have sold our business-class product line in Japan for several years, we now see the market as ripe for our award- winning wireless consumer product line." The appointment of SBB for the Japanese market continues NETGEAR`s success in partnering with market leaders on a global basis to distribute the company`s products. NETGEAR is generally the number one or two provider of networking product segments to small and medium businesses and homes on a global basis. NETGEAR`s new relationship with SBB is a key component in the company`s strategic expansion into the consumer market in Japan, where it already enjoys success with its networking products aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. SBB will distribute NETGEAR products through a network of resellers, including retail stores and systems integrators. To further underscore its new emphasis on the market, NETGEAR is expanding its personnel in the NETGEAR Japan offices, is offering an improved and expanded menu of services, and is increasing its marketing activities in the country. Said Naoki Hayashida, country manager for NETGEAR Japan, "SBB is a household name in Japan, due to its pioneering position in broadband services, so NETGEAR`s association with the company should greatly burnish our reputation. We look upon this relationship as a great opportunity to materially expand NETGEAR`s consumer business in Japan to match the success we`ve had with our networking products for small and medium-sized businesses." Mr. Hayashida, former country manager for Polycom Japan, recently joined NETGEAR to spearhead the company`s local expansion. SBB launched "Yahoo! BB" jointly with Yahoo Japan Corporation in June 2001 to provide low-cost broadband services, such as high-speed data and video, to the Japanese market, and now has approximately 3.9 million ADSL subscribers. In April 2002, SBB introduced its broadband voice services, "BB Phone," and has more than 3 million telephone customers to date. It has also offered IT- related distribution services for more than 20 years. "We are so pleased to be able to assist NETGEAR as it moves into the center spotlight in Japan," said Ken Miyauchi, executive vice president of SOFTBANK BB Corp. "NETGEAR has a well deserved reputation for developing high-quality networking products that are extremely easy to use, so they`re sure to strike a cord within the retail market. And in Japan, where people are famously addicted to fashionable consumer products, we think that NETGEAR`s stylish products will become a must-have for trendsetters. We`re honored that NETGEAR has chosen SBB as its sole distributor in Japan." Through SBB, NETGEAR is introducing Japan to its multiple award-winning Platinum Family of wireless home networking products based on the new 802.11g standard and on the widely adopted 802.11b standard, all providing top-notch range and performance. At blazing speeds of up to 54 Mbps -- five times faster than the 802.11b wireless standard -- NETGEAR`s 802.11g wireless products still maintain backward compatibility with 802.11b products, protecting customers` existing investments. NETGEAR`s 802.11g wireless product line delivers faster performance ideal for high-bandwidth applications such as home entertainment networks, with CD- quality audio and DVD-quality video streaming. NETGEAR also delivers next- generation wireless security with the deployment of Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). The NETGEAR line of wireless products for the home now available in Japan includes: * WGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router * WG511 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card * WGB511 bundled package (WGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router/WG511 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card) * MA111 11Mbps Wireless USB adapter * MA521 11Mbps Wireless PC Card * MB521 bundled package (11 Mbps Wireless Router/MA521 11 Mbps Wireless PC Card) Backed by a warranty of up to two years and 24/7 technical support, NETGEAR products distributed through SBB in Japan are available via systems integrators, value-added resellers, and are currently on shelves in leading electronics retailers nationwide. The company expects to have a presence shortly in as many as 200 stores in Japan. About SOFTBANK BB Corp. SOFTBANK BB Corp. engages in the provision of broadband infrastructure and services centering on Yahoo! BB as well as in technical development, marketing, sales and support. The Company offers IT-related distribution and services, supervises and administers affiliated broadband and e-commerce companies. Its head office is in Tokyo. For more information, visit http://www.softbankbb.co.jp . About NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR designs technologically advanced, branded networking products that address the specific needs of small and medium business and home users. The Company`s suite of approximately 100 products enables users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. NETGEAR is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit the company`s Web site at www.netgear.com or call 408-907-8000. NOTE: NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: Various matters set forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the expected potential market growth in Japan and the Asian markets in general, acceptance of NETGEAR`s consumer products in Japan, as well as performance characteristics, specifications, specific uses and general market position of NETGEAR, Inc. and its products and technology are forward- looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the price/performance requirements of customers, the ability of NETGEAR to sell products incorporating the technology, the impact and pricing of competing technologies, the introduction of alternative technological solutions, and other risks detailed from time-to-time in NETGEAR`S SEC filings and reports. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030730/NETGEARLOGO ) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: NETGEAR, Inc. |
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| aus der Diskussion: | NetGear(NTGR) |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | panik (05.12.03 14:36:43) |
| Beitrag: | 15 von 27 (ID:11531656) |
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