Hantro Joins Access' Advanced Alliance Partner Program

Alliance Delivers Browser and Multi-Format Multimedia Solution for Embedded Devices

Oulu, Finland – November 14th, 2005 As wireless bandwidths increase and internet connectivity from handheld devices becomes commonplace, an immense quantity and variety of video content formatted for the small screen is becoming freely accessible. Enabling this content to be easily viewed on a multitude of embedded devices, Hantro announced today that they have joined ACCESS' Advanced Alliance Partner program, making their multi-format player readily available for integration into the NetFront™ web browser. Supporting MPEG-4, H.263 and H.264/AVC video, along with AMR-NB and aacPlus audio formats, the integrated solution brings true multi-format multi-media capability to a multitude of embedded devices.

Designed for mobile, Hantro's player brings optimal performance to resource-limited environments where CPU load and power consumption are primary concerns. The software decoders are available fully optimized for ARM based designs and are complemented by a complete suite of pre- and post processing technologies that further enhance the user experience. A common codec API design means that NetFront, with Hantro's player embedded, can easily utilise the additional benefits of increased performance, minimal CPU load and power consumption that Hantro's hardware codecs bring when available in the device's application or baseband processor.

"We are pleased that Hantro has joined ACCESS' Advanced Alliance Partner program and ported their technology to NetFront," said Toru Arakawa, President and CEO of ACCESS. "As multimedia capability becomes a pre-requisite for Internet enabled embedded devices, Hantro's hardware and software based solutions in combination with NetFront browser will ensure that our customers will be able to maximise the opportunities that this dynamic market presents.”

"Through the Access Advanced Alliance Partner Program we are providing a high performance and proven multimedia solution for wireless devices," said Eero Kaikkonen, President and CEO of Hantro "Fully compliant with 3gpp standards, Hantro's embedded player and ACCESS' NetFront browser provides an excellent solution to bring multimedia capability to mobile handsets."

The embedded player for NetFront can be seen later this month on Hantro's booth (#1103-04) at 3G World Congress in Hong Kong 14th – 18th November, at Embedded Technology 2005 in Pacifico Yokohama 16th – 18th November and, at the private ACCESS Day event held at the Tokyo Westin Hotel on November 22.

About NetFront Browser

NetFront browser recently surpassed 195 million deployments globally representing 650 unique devices ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to digital televisions, gaming consoles, and automobile telematics systems from major Internet device manufacturers. NetFront supports a wider range of operating systems than any competing browser including solutions for Palm® OS, Symbian OS, Linux OS, Microsoft® Windows® Mobile/PocketPC and mobile handset environments like BREW®. NetFront browser technology is used by the world's leading mobile operators, software providers and electronics manufacturers including Adobe, Alpine, Amoi, AT&T Wireless, Casio, Epson, Hitachi, Hutchinson 3G Group, IBM, KDDI, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Mitsubishi, palmOne, PalmSource, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony, Telcel Venezuela, TCL, Toshiba, UTStarcom and more.

About ACCESS Advanced Alliance Partner Program

Companies involved in the development of Internet devices in the mobile and beyond-PC market face many complex challenges including finding the right technology partners. ACCESS established the ACCESS Advanced Alliance partner program to ease these challenges and to provide quick access to an alliance of over 45 partner companies that provide advanced solutions for the mobile and beyond-PC market, including system integration partners, operating systems partners, semiconductor partners, as well as security technology partners and content partners.

About Hantro

Hantro is a world leader in multimedia technology for mobile handsets. Provided as intellectual property and delivering optimal value and performance, Hantro's product portfolio includes: -

• A complete range of hardware and software video codec designs that support MPEG-4, H.263, H.264/AVC and VC-1 formats up to SDTV resolutions
• JPEG still-image codecs supporting up to 16MP
• AMR and aacPlus™ audio codecs
• A comprehensive suite of pre- and post-processing technologies
• Streaming protocols
• File format module for .mp4 /.3gp
• Multimedia application development platform that simplifies handset integration, shortens lead times and reduces development costs.
• A full range of integration and support services for OS and device porting.

With proprietary algorithms, patented technology and a continual product development program, Hantro is focused on enabling a more compelling user experience by delivering better quality video with reduced power consumption and CPU load. Extensive participation in the IMTC and M4IF testing programs guarantees compliance with 3GPP standards ensuring the full interoperability of applications such as: Camcorder, Video Player, Video Telephony and Mobile TV. For more information please visit www.hantro.com.

About ACCESS

ACCESS is a global provider of mobile content delivery and Internet access technologies to the beyond-PC market. Its NetFront browser, widely recognized as one of the most advanced Internet browsers in the world, is a cornerstone to the company's vision of making the ubiquitous Internet a reality. NetFront technologies are delivering full Internet browsing and related services to next-generation mobile devices and consumer electronics ranging from digital TV to automobile telematics. For more information: www.access.co.jp or www.access-us-inc.com.