Primax Electronics Ltd. Announces Bluetooth PCMCIA Card

PLEASANTON, CA -( Business Wire)--MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2001 - Primax Electronics Ltd., a leading developer and manufacturer of Bluetooth-enabled wireless connectivity solutions, today announced passing regulatory testing for type approval of its Bluetooth PCMCIA card, jointly developed with Signia Technologies and the Antennas America Division of ARC Wireless Solutions, Inc. (OTC BB: ARCS). The card adds Bluetooth functionality to existing notebooks using the PCMCIA interface.

The product was designed for high volume production using innovative embedded technology such as the Printed Tab Monopole antenna to ensure low-cost, high-performance, and manufacturability. The card is a class 3, Bluetooth 1.1-compliant product that includes Generic Access Profile, Serial Port Profile, Service Discovery Application Profile, Dial Up Networking Profile, and LAN Access Profile. Primax will be demonstrating this product at CeBIT 2001, March 22-28 in Hannover, Germany, for selected customers.

"We are pleased to be one of the first companies to offer Bluetooth PCMCIA cards to our customers." said Joan Li, Director of Personal Wireless Connectivity at Primax. "Primax is committed to developing wireless applications and product solutions to help bring the Bluetooth market to fruition."

The PCMCIA card is part of Primax's Blueport family of end-to-end Bluetooth solutions that include PCMCIA cards, USB adapters, USB dongles, Access Points, and client software.

Primax is a leader in designing and manufacturing computer/communications peripherals such as Image Scanners, Digital Still Cameras, LCD projectors, Power Supplies, and Voice products for portable devices. Primax is now adding Personal Wireless Connectivity products to its product offering and plans on expanding connectivity to other product families. Primax has been building on its core expertise by establishing strategic partnerships with wireless companies such as Signia Technologies, Antennas America, and others.

"We are pleased to see Primax achieve such a significant milestone and Bluetooth products nearing the phase of commercial availability." stated Neil Jarvis, Product Manager at Signia Technologies.

Signia Technologies and Antennas America have focused on making Bluetooth more cost effective and easier for customers to implement in design, manufacturing, and test. The Bluetooth PCMCIA reference design highlights each company's position as a leader in the development of Bluetooth and wireless connectivity solutions.

About Primax Electronics

Primax was established in Taiwan in March 1984 and listed in Taiwan Stock Exchange in January 1995. The company focuses on a diversified product portfolio comprising five segments of Imaging Products, Computer Peripherals, Paper Handling Equipment, Internet/Information Appliance Products, and Communication Accessories. Primax's strategic aspiration is to be a top-tier ODM product/service provider focusing in Digital Imaging and Wireless/Broadband Communication with Internet-related solutions.

About Signia Technologies

Signia Technologies is a premier wireless solution provider with strong expertise in wireless integrated circuit, software, system, and networking design. Signia has demonstrated Bluetooth functionality in extended ranges of up to one hundred meters in notebooks, Internet access points, and PC cards. The company works in partnership with other Bluetooth members, customers, and value-added companies to provide the highest performance in Bluetooth using the most cost-effective technologies

About ARC Wireless Solutions, Inc

ARC Wireless Solutions Inc. is a wireless technology company that does marketing, distribution and servicing, as well as selective design and manufacturing, of a broad range of component and network solutions in support of wireless applications. ARC Wireless Solutions Inc., together with its Antennas America division, is headquartered in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

About Bluetooth

In early 1998, a group of computer and telecommunications industry leaders, including Intel, IBM, Toshiba, Ericsson, and Nokia, together began developing a way for users to connect a wide range of mobile devices quickly and easily, without cables. To ensure that this technology is seamlessly implemented in a diverse range of devices, these leaders formed a special interest group, formally announced on May 20, 1998, to design a royalty-free, open specification technology, code named "Bluetooth". The SIG has quickly gained membership from companies such as 3COM/Palm, Axis Communication, Compaq, Dell, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Qualcomm, Xircom and is encouraging the involvement of all other companies interested in offering products taking advantage of a standardized, wireless means for connection.