3COM makes Equity Investment in Parthus Technologies
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - June 8, 2000 - 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:
COMS) today announced that it has recently taken an undisclosed equity
stake in Parthus Technologies (Nasdaq: PRTH; LSE: PRH), a developer of
platform-level intellectual property (IP) for the Mobile-Internet market.
As part of the investment, Parthus will develop technologies for emerging
wireless standards and, in particular, wireless networking.
In addition to being a leading networking provider today, 3Com is
focused on developing solutions for five high-growth technologies:
wireless technologies, broadband access, home networking, LAN telephony
and Voice over Internet Protocol. Central to 3Com's strategy are
investments in companies that are leaders in these high-growth
technologies. Parthus is a provider of platform-level IP solutions
targeted at next-generation wireless standards such as 3G/W-CDMA, which
enables broadband Internet access to wireless devices, and
Bluetooth™, which enables wireless-PAN (Personal Area Network)
environments by providing connectivity between all classes of electronic
devices without the need for cables. Most recently 3Com has invested in
companies that specialize in wireless technologies, home networking,
converged networking and Internet-related technologies.
"At 3Com, we recognize that the need for anywhere, anytime connectivity
drives increased deployment of wireless solutions globally," said Edgar
Masri, senior vice president of business development at 3Com. "Our
investment in Parthus will provide us with access to an extensive
portfolio of leading edge IP-platforms that we will be able to leverage as
we develop next-generation wireless products for businesses and
consumers."
"3Com is a world-leader in wired and wireless networking and a market
share leader in small business networking, LAN Telephony and CDMA wireless
access - core markets that our platforms enable," said Brian Long, CEO and
founder of Parthus Technologies, based in Dublin, Ireland. "With 3Com
taking an equity stake in Parthus, it not only gives us both tremendous
exposure to next-generation wireless networking technologies, but also to
3Com's extensive market base."
About 3Com Corporation
With more than 300 million customer connections worldwide, 3Com
Corporation connects more people and organizations to information and each
other in more innovative, simple and reliable ways than any other
networking company. 3Com delivers web-enabled solutions to consumers,
small- to medium-sized business locations and network service providers.
For more information, visit 3Com's Web site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
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