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NETGEAR Introduces Powerline Networking First: 85Mbps Speeds With Built-in 4-Port Switch (28/11/2005)

Innovative NETGEAR Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch (XE104) Offers up to Six Times More Throughput Than First Generation Powerline and Easily Enables Multiple Ethernet Devices to Connect Home Network From any Room in the Digital Home

NETGEAR(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:NTGR) , a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, and market leader for powerline networking products, today announced the launch of its next-generation, high-speed powerline product family. The industry first NETGEAR 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch (XE104) offers up to six times more throughput than existing HomePlug(R) 1.0-only powerline products along with 4 built-in ports for connecting multiple networked devices simultaneously. This stylish wall-plugged unit makes a high-quality, high-speed broadband connection available anywhere in the home without running any cabling between rooms, even in areas where a wireless network may not be accessible. By turning any electrical outlet into a 4-port Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) connection, the 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch enables consumers to quickly and easily set up a networking solution with the speeds and ports needed to support the increasing number of networked devices in the digital home.

Users can easily extend their existing network throughout the entire house to maximize the use of devices such as PCs, game consoles, digital video recorders, print servers or the NETGEAR Storage Central device for storage, file, and print sharing, backups, Internet gaming, and video streaming. With fast 85 Mbps speeds, the Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch (XE104) provides the bandwidth to connect the digital home, securely transmitting simultaneous network connections without interruption.

"For many applications in the digital home, a powerline device offers a useful alternative networking solution, especially with the faster speeds of this next generation 85 Mbps technology," said Kartik Gada, NETGEAR Product Line Manager. "Gamers don't want to worry about signal interference slowing down their response, as more and more devices are being connected to the home network and used simultaneously. NETGEAR's innovative 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch enables consumers to enjoy broadband content in any room of their home with an assurance of reliability and speed, while avoiding the inconvenience of installing extensive and costly new in-home cabling."

"There is considerable renewed interest in powerline products to support the growing consumer demand for increased network reach with reliable throughput," said Joyce Putscher, principal analyst at In-Stat, a market research firm. "Current products are enabling service providers to supplement their customers' home network coverage areas at low costs with true, simple plug-and-play ease that all consumers understand. We expect to see HomePlug- capable standalone products exceed 2 million units in 2005, and grow robustly over the next few years."

Simple to use, the 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch requires no software setup and is as easy as plugging two or more of the devices to the power outlets, enabling users to enjoy faster network connections with much less installation effort. Users connect one XE104 to a router and then plug it directly into a wall outlet, and connect another XE104 to any (up to four) Ethernet-ready devices, enabling them to transfer data from room to room over the home's existing electrical network. The 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch is ideal for setting up a LAN gaming party in minutes, as up to eight game consoles can be linked with only two units.

With a sleek new design, NETGEAR's 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch (XE104) rests while plugged into an ordinary electrical socket, without any component to step on or take up desk space. The 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch works with two- or three-prong standard 110-volt electrical outlets for U.S. (220-volt outlets for Europe) and is compatible with any standard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet drive. The switch reaches data rates up to 85 Mbps with other XE104-connected Powerline devices and does not cause power surges or increase electricity consumption. Robust and rate-adaptive, it minimizes interference from other household appliances, automatically finding the best data rate so web-surfing, gaming or telecommuting continue uninterrupted. And the attractive, compact white casing blends easily into any home decor.

NETGEAR's 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch incorporates technology from Intellon, the leading provider of HomePlug-compatible integrated circuits for home networking, networked entertainment and connected powerline applications. The 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch is backwards- compatible to HomePlug 1.0, the in-home powerline networking specification endorsed by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance.

NETGEAR's 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Switch (XE104) is backed by a one- year warranty and 24/7 technical support, with availability in the U.S. and Europe via leading retailers, direct marketers, e-commerce sites and value- added resellers at an MSRP of $99.99 in the U.S.

www.netgear.com