DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) today announced EtherCom Corporation, a Fremont, California-based company, as another partner in their micro- and optoelectronics focused technology park. EtherCom designs, develops, manufactures and markets network connectivity solutions for large and small enterprises.

Currently, EtherCom is focused on developing networking solutions for SOHO, industrial, corporate and government agencies as well as prime U.S. government contractors where US origin and high quality is essential. The firm has specifically targeted the Middle East as one of the world's fastest-growing networking markets, based on use of Ethernet products in industrial, IT and telecommunication sectors.

EtherCom's decision to establish a design center at DSO reaffirms again the strategy that has been developed and is being implemented to attract and retain global companies operating in electronics supply chain that includes integrated circuit design, semiconductor intellectual property development, and system assembly and manufacturing companies.

The DSO mission is to attract some of the world's best known high technology firms to enable the region's transition into a thriving knowledge-based economy. This partnership with EtherCom once again shows that Dubai and DSO provide a viable alternative and a very suitable environment that international companies can operate successfully in. The support of the Government of Dubai has been instrumental in DSO's ability to execute this strategy.

"The primary reasons for selecting DSO lies in the proximity to growth markets, excellent infrastructure and logistics, the ability to meet increasing customer demands and access to readily available workforce in a very competitive tax free operating environment," said Nafis Ahmad, founder and president of EtherCom Corporation. "Even the quality of life afforded in Dubai makes DSO the right location for us."

The opening of EtherCom's design hub will facilitate the sharing of advanced design methodology, design tools, end-to-end design and manufacturing capabilities for LAN/WAN/MAN/WiMAX systems.

"The presence of EtherCom's design center marks another important step in the development of Dubai Silicon Oasis becoming the region's most advanced center for microelectronic design, development and intellectual property creation," said Dr. Salem Abuzeid, Chief

Marketing Officer, Dubai Silicon Oasis. "EtherCom is a key partner in DSO's collaborative approach to developing one of the world's leading microelectronics-based technology parks for advanced electronic innovation, design & development and manufacturing."

EtherCom plans to tap into a rapidly growing fiber optic Ethernet and industrial Ethernet market in the Gulf and North Africa region. In addition, the DSO site will enable the company to foster stronger relations with regional customers as well as their design center in Bangladesh. The company anticipates staffing its design center beginning immediately.

The rapidly growing global networking market rose more than 90% in 2004. Worldwide Metro Ethernet equipment revenue hit $3.8 billion in 2004, and is projected to double to $7.6 billion by 2008, according to Infonetics Research's latest report. Further, nearly $29 billion will be spent worldwide on Ethernet in metro networks by the end of 2008. Every year over the next 10 years, Ethernet is predicted to account for a double-digit growth in Ethernet equipment revenue.

About EtherCom

EtherCom designs, manufactures and markets a range of high quality, cost effective networking products providing connectivity solutions for large or small organizations.

Their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility enables them to meet the volume demands of their customers while maintaining the goal of delivering very high quality products.

EtherCom's family of products include: transceivers, hubs, LAN switches, media converters, fault tolerant transceivers for mission critical operation. All products are manufactured at their California facility which is also their corporate HQ.

About DSO

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is an advanced microelectronics technology park spanning over 7 million square meters. The park provides end-to-end, turnkey facilities for the design and development of Integrated Circuits (ICs) and the fabrication, manufacturing and assembly of electronic systems. Funded by the government of Dubai, DSO encompasses world-class logistics and communications infrastructure, access to an untapped pool of regional RF and Analog/Mixed Signal IC design talent and a cost-effective operating environment that features business friendly tax incentives and liberal business laws. With its strategic geographic location in the region and the world, Dubai is emerging as a most advantageous location for companies to locate their R&D and manufacturing facilities. Visit us at www.dso.ae.

 

    Contact: James Adams, Dubai Silicon Oasis
    Phone: +971-4-202-7741
    Email: jadams@dso.ae