NETGEAR Awarded Five-Star Rating in 2010 Everything Channel Partner Program Guide

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (NasdaqGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced it has been recognized by Everything Channel as one of North America's top information technology(IT) vendors for its PowerShift™ Partner Program. Everything Channel's 2010 Partner Program Guide awarded a five-star rating to the PowerShift Partner Program in the Midsize Company category. This means NETGEAR PowerShift is representative of an "exceptional" program for reseller partners such as IT integrators, technology solution providers and consultants.

"This designation acknowledges the commitment and strength of NETGEAR channel programs for our reseller partners," said Michael Werdann, NETGEAR vice president of sales for North America.  "Continually improving the price/performance value we deliver to the channel is one of our top priorities, which is why our bundled networking, security and storage solutions are continuing to gain market traction with Small- to Medium-Sized Businesses."

Everything Channel, headquartered in Framingham, Mass., is a technology marketing and sales solutions company. Its research department analyzed 130 vendor programs, rating vendor responses to in-depth questions about their partner programs in the five elements of sales support, partner profitability, partner ecosystem development/management, partner communication/marketing, and demand generation. To ensure fair comparisons, companies were placed in one of four categories based on company size (Enterprise, Midsize, Small and Emerging). The 5-Star Partner Program rating recognizes the elite subset of vendors who give solution providers the best partnering elements in their channel programs.

"We evaluate a vendor's program on a wide range of elements," said Kelley Damore, vice president and editorial director, Everything Channel. "NETGEAR's PowerShift Partner Program provides incremental margin, training, lead generation and sales support services to partners. We congratulate NETGEAR and those recognized as this year's Five-Star Partner Program winners for helping to drive greater revenue in the channel."

The Everything Channel Partner Program Guide list appears in the March 29 issue of CRN magazine and online at http://www.Channelweb.com.

Benefits of the PowerShift Partner Program

NETGEAR's PowerShift Partner Program provides access to an extensive variety of sales, marketing, training, and support resources, making it easier for partners to profit from selling the broad range of NETGEAR business-class products.  The program is comprised of three tiers —Silver, Platinum, and Platinum Plus — delivering a rich array of benefits at each level based on the partner's increased investment and commitment to NETGEAR.

All NETGEAR value-added resellers are eligible for the basic tier, Silver. The Silver PowerShift Partner level provides a wide range of reseller benefits such as US-based technical support, quarterly rebate promotions, sales and marketing assistance, 30-day risk-free product evaluations, online training/education and deal registration, as well as pre- and post-sales support.

Based upon quarterly sales revenue, partners can become eligible for the PowerShift Platinum and Platinum Plus memberships. The PowerShift Partner Program grants Platinum and Platinum Plus Partners the aforementioned benefits in addition to upfront product discounts at distribution, dedicated account managers, incentive discounts, advanced network configuration technical support, and market development funds.

More information about the NETGEAR PowerShift Partner Program can be found at: http://www.netgear.com/Partners/Powershift.aspx.

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 28,000 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 PowerShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.  Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

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 the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology 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 I - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 10 through 27, in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 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.