NETGEAR Announces Technology Collaboration With SamKnows for FCC's National Broadband Speed Test

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced that SamKnows, an Internet technology leader in traffic sensor applications, has selected NETGEAR's RangeMax® Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB (WNR3500L) as part of its national broadband speed test measurement project announced by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski (http://www.fcc.gov/). The FCC's goal is to collect objective data to build an accurate picture of broadband Internet performance nationwide. Consumers wishing to participate in the program can volunteer to have their broadband connections tested by the sensors during idle periods with known, safe servers. This testing method addresses the variability of results from current Internet-based self-service speed tests by eliminating or minimizing inaccuracies caused by computer processing performance as well as premise network impairments such as motor noise, microwave oven interference, low WiFi signal levels or IP traffic congestion in the LAN.

No personal data is detected or reported such as logins and passwords, IP or MAC addresses, URLs visited, VoIP phone numbers called or data sent and received. Only the results of the performance tests are reported anonymously for aggregation and analysis by SamKnows and the FCC. In addition, people who volunteer for the project are given access to their own data so that they can track the performance of their own broadband connection.

"We welcome SamKnows as the newest applications developer to use NETGEAR Open Source Linux Routers to provide accurate and timely results to the FCC," said Patrick Lo, Chairman & CEO of NETGEAR. "As a US-based networking company, NETGEAR commends the FCC on its Broadband Initiative."

Alex Salter, CEO of SamKnows, added: "Service Providers worldwide across all network technologies referred us to NETGEAR for this application, and NETGEAR has an excellent reputation amongst the ISP's we work with and polled about this project. SamKnows looks forward to working with NETGEAR and the FCC to help American internet consumers measure their broadband service."

SamKnows has previously deployed similar sensor projects for both national governments and service providers. The principal application of the project results has been to enable ISP's to add backbone Internet capacity in advance of network congestion to serve their customers' growing demand as reported by SamKnows sensors.

Photos and other product information can be found here and here (http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/WirelessNRoutersandGateways/WNR3500L.aspx and http://www.myopenrouter.com/).

About NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs innovative, branded technology solutions that address the specific networking, storage, and security needs of Small- to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and home users. The company offers an end-to-end networking product portfolio to enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, multimedia content, and applications among multiple computers and other Internet-enabled devices. Products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over 26,000 retail locations around the globe, and via more than 39,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at http://www.netgear.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/netgear.

©2010 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and RangeMax are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. DOCSIS is a trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.  Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

Note: Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput will vary from maximum signal rates stipulated. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and test results and methods are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 32 through 47, in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2010. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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SOURCE NETGEAR, Inc.