Wi-Fi Alliance Welcomes New Sponsors

The Wi-Fi Alliance announced that Huawei Technologies, LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics have become sponsor members of the organization.

For more information visit: www.wi-fi.org


Unedited press release follows:

Wi-Fi Alliance® Welcomes New Sponsor Members – Huawei, LG and Samsung

Companies from diverse segments become Sponsor Members of the global trade association

AUSTIN, TX, May 17, 2011 – Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., LG Electronics, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. have become Sponsor members of the Wi-Fi Alliance, and each has appointed a Director to the organization’s Board. The technology leaders join Apple, Atheros, Broadcom, Cisco, Comcast, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions, Nokia, Sony Corporation, T-Mobile and Texas Instruments as Sponsor members of the nearly 400-member Wi-Fi Alliance.

“Our Sponsor membership represents a strong cross-section of the industry – from makers of consumer goods and networking equipment, to service providers and appliance manufacturers,” said Edgar Figueroa, CEO of the Wi-Fi Alliance. “Adding Huawei, LG and Samsung to our Sponsor member roster helps us keep pace of where the industry is going and continue to deliver the best user experience on Wi-Fi® devices.”

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global industry group of service providers, equipment makers and software companies, devoted to the proliferation of Wi-Fi technology. Its Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ product logo and testing program was launched in March 2000 and provides a widely-recognized seal of interoperability and security, designating products with the best user experience. The Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 10,000 product certifications.

“Wi-Fi is a crucial part of our strategy to provide customers network access whenever they need it,” said Dr. Wen Tong, wireless CTO of Huawei North America. “Wi-Fi technology is taking center stage as a network access technology. We are committed to support the Wi-Fi Alliance certification programs and are excited to help lead the organization toward continued fulfillment of its mission.”

“Wi-Fi technology is a critical feature in many of the popular products we develop and our Wi-Fi product portfolio continues to expand,” said Dr. Byoung-Hoon Kim, research fellow (VP) of LG Electronics. “The Wi-Fi Alliance provides a very important collaborative environment for the future of the technology so we are pleased to be able to increase our contribution to the organization’s objectives.”

“With Wi-Fi technology in our appliances, consumer electronics, handsets and more, the user experience is paramount,” said Joonho Park, Ph.D., senior vice president and head of Standards and Technology Enabling Team, Samsung Electronics. “The interoperability assurance provided by Wi-Fi CERTIFIED is a critical ingredient in Wi-Fi technology’s usefulness for our customers worldwide, and we are pleased to invest more significantly in the organization that drives a continued benchmark of quality.”

New Directors joining the Wi-Fi Alliance Board are:

• Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.: Dr. Wen Tong, Wireless CTO, N.A. and Dr. Peiying Zhu, Senior Director, Wireless Research and Standards
• LG Electronics Inc.: Dr. Byoung-Hoon Kim, Research Fellow (VP), and Mr. Jae-Hyung Song, Senior Research Engineer
• Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.: Joonho Park, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Head of Standards and Technology Enabling Team, and Rakesh Taori, Director, Standards and Technology Enabling Team

The new Sponsor members are active participants in the Wi-Fi Alliance and the Directors are active in the Board effective immediately.

About Huawei

http://www.huawei.com/

Huawei is a leading telecoms solutions provider serving 45 of the world’s top 50 telecom operators. Huawei’s products and solutions have been deployed in over 100 countries and support the communications needs of one third of the world’s population. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/huaweipress and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

http://www.lg.com/

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of KRW 55.8 trillion (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

http://www.samsung.com/

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs.

About the Wi-Fi Alliance

http://www.wi-fi.org/

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global non-profit industry association of hundreds of leading companies devoted to the proliferation of Wi-Fi technology across devices and market segments. With technology development, market building, and regulatory programs, the Wi-Fi Alliance has enabled widespread adoption of Wi-Fi worldwide.