Secure Bluetooth Technology Receives FIPS 197 Validation

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 2006--3e Technologies International, Inc., (3eTI) announced today that, working in cooperation with CSR plc, they have obtained FIPS 197 Validation(TM) (certificate 351) for their Secure Bluetooth Module. This software module is designed to operate with CSR BlueCore(TM) chipsets which are widely used in the Bluetooth market. This validation is a major milestone in the creation of a standard for Secure Bluetooth and the development of FIPS 140-2 Validated(TM) products to enable applications for the Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Government, and other users concerned about wireless security. For more information visit: http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/aes/aesval.html

Bluetooth adoption is growing at a staggering pace with more than 250M units on the market at the end of 2005. Despite the popularity of Bluetooth, many Government and Military operations have policies prohibiting its use. Since Bluetooth was initially designed to be a very short range, personal communication technology, security was not a major consideration. Now with widespread use and the availability of long range, high performance capabilities the security questions can no longer be ignored.

According to Peter Flittner, Head of regulatory liaison at CSR, "The Bluetooth industry is growing more rapidly than was foreseen even a year ago with analysts upgrading their projections. I believe that the addition of extra, government approved, security capability in addition to those built-in to Bluetooth will open applications for the technology beyond its current uses in consumer products." He added, "The security technology developed in cooperation with 3eTI should address the concerns of the most security conscious users."

3eTI is a pioneer of secure wireless technology. With the first FIPS 140-2 Validated 802.11 Wi-Fi(TM) system, secure Bluetooth is the next step on 3eTI's journey to build a comprehensive suite of wireless security solutions. "3eTI intends to pursue this technology and work within the standards community to establish widely accepted security mechanisms for Bluetooth," says John Fossaceca, Vice President of Engineering at 3eTI. "We also expect to take our solution through the full FIPS 140-2 process and work with major industry partners to develop a variety of products and applications."

About 3e Technologies International

3eTI is a leading provider of products, applications, and technology to build secure wireless infrastructure for indoor and outdoor applications in both benign and harsh environments. With solutions for mesh networking, RFID, video, PKI, remote sensors, and location-based context-aware systems; 3eTI serves government, industrial, and commercial users worldwide. 3eTI is active in standards bodies such as IEEE 802.11x and IEEE 1451.5 Wireless Sensor Networks (Chair). 3eTI is an Intel Capital Portfolio Company. For more information about 3eTI, visit www.3eti.com or call (301) 670-6779.

About CSR

CSR plc is the leading global provider of Bluetooth technology and has developed expertise in other single-chip wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11). CSR offers developed hardware/software solutions for Bluetooth based around BlueCore, a fully integrated 2.4 GHz radio, baseband and microcontroller.

CSR has now launched its fifth generation BlueCore suite and is in volume manufacture of its fourth generation BlueCore devices. BlueCore4 supports the Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) standard, which was ratified at the end of 2004. BlueCore4 remains the only EDR silicon to be shipping in volume today. In November 2004 CSR launched UniFi, the first single chip 802.11a/b/g embedded solution specifically targeting the mobile phone and consumer electronics markets.

BlueCore features in over 50 percent of all Bluetooth devices shipped and over 60 percent of all qualified Bluetooth enabled products and modules listed on the Bluetooth website with industry leaders including Nokia, Dell, Panasonic, Sharp, Motorola, IBM, Apple, NEC, Toshiba, RIM and Sony using BlueCore devices in their range of Bluetooth products.

In March 2005, CSR acquired Clarity Technologies Inc., for its Clear Voice Capture (CVC) technology that enhances the audio performance of any voice-based product or system. Applications for CVC include wireless headsets, handsets and automotive hands free systems.

In August 2005, CSR completed the acquisition of UbiNetics' software business, providing a strong R&D team to accelerate its existing software development in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and UWB. The UbiNetics team gives CSR the capacity to extend its offering to mobile handset customers.

CSR has its headquarters and offices in Cambridge, UK, and offices in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, France, Denmark, Sweden and both Texas and Detroit in the USA.

More information can be found at www.csr.com and the partner web site www.btdesigner.com

More information about Bluetooth technology can be found on the SIG web site at www.bluetooth.com