News

NETGEAR Teams with DS2 to Bring 200 Mbps Powerline HD Solution to Market (8/3/2006)

Innovative Powerline Technology from NETGEAR and DS2 Enables High-Quality, High-Definition Video Streaming for the Digital Home

NETGEAR(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, and Design of Systems on Silicon (DS2), a leading supplier for Powerline communications chipsets, today announced that they are teaming to deliver 200 Mbps Powerline HD technology that will make it possible for consumers to have an affordable, high-performance, high-quality broadband connection available anywhere in the home without the need to run any cabling between rooms.

By turning any electrical outlet into a high-speed broadband connection, the fast 200 Mbps speeds provided by this collaboration will enable consumers to easily maximise the use of their network-enabled devices, such as digital video recorders, game consoles, personal computers, print servers or the NETGEAR Storage Central for storage, file, and print sharing, backups, Internet gaming, and video streaming. This proprietary technology using standardised DS2 chipsets will offer video Quality of Service (QoS) that makes it possible for users to seamlessly stream high-definition video throughout the entire home.

"As applications like online gaming, whole-house audio distribution and high-definition video streaming are becoming more mainstream, consumers require fast, reliable broadband access in every room in the home without the inconvenience of running new wires," stated Patrick Lo, CEO of NETGEAR. "We are excited to be working with DS2 to develop a solution that tackles that problem head on. Our collaborative technology will extend high-performance Internet connections to any room in the home, making it possible for consumers to enjoy high-quality, high-definition video and other bandwidth-hungry applications without interruption."

"NETGEAR is a major force in the consumer electronics market and a leader in offering high-performance products," said Jorge Blasco, CEO of DS2. "Our partnership with NETGEAR is proof positive that there is a growing consumer demand for Powerline products. Moreover, DS2's 200 Mbps Powerline chipsets are providing simple, reliable broadband connectivity that offers the necessary bandwidth to connect the digital home. DS2 technology is proven and mature. Our technology is currently in use by several service providers and we are delighted to be working with NETGEAR to bring this technology directly to the consumer."

The first NETGEAR products based on DS2's Powerline technology are expected to ship in the second quarter of 2006 and will be available through NETGEAR's consumer, reseller, and service provider channels. Located in NETGEAR's booth (Stand C58, Hall 13), NETGEAR and DS2 will be displaying their 200 Mbps Powerline HD technology at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany, from March 9 - 15, 2006.

www.netgear.co.uk