D-LINK takes top honors for innovative use of WI-FI ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TECHNOLOGY

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumer and business, today announced it has been recognized by the Wi-Fi Alliance with two Gold and one Silver WIFFIE Awards for innovative use of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED and Wi-Fi brands.

In the third annual WIFFIE Awards, D-Link won Gold awards for On-Product Display and Product Packaging and a Silver award for the Tradeshow booth category. The awards were based on judges’’ reviews of D-Link’s use of the Wi-Fi Alliance and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logos, as well as promotion of Wi-Fi technology, use of terminology such as Wi-Fi, 802.11n draft 2.0, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup™.

“As a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, our goal has been to provide the confidence that both home and business users need to get the most out of Wi-Fi technology,” said Daniel Kelley, Senior Director of Marketing, D-Link Systems, Inc. “We’re pleased to be recognized for our efforts and constantly strive to enhance the user experience as the Wi-Fi market continues to evolve.”

“Next-generation Wi-Fi has been widely accepted by consumers and enterprise users alike, and member companies’ prominent use of our brands has validated the technology’s popularity and importance of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED,” said Wi-Fi Alliance senior director Karen Hanley. “We congratulate all of the award winners for their great work promoting Wi-Fi in exciting products such as next-generation TV’s, cameras and gaming devices.”

Wi-Fi certification has been a key enabler of adoption of Wi-Fi with advanced capabilities such as 802.11n draft 2.0 and Wi-Fi Protected Setup, and continues to play a critical role in the expansion of Wi-Fi technology beyond PC networking, into entertainment devices and phones. Market research firm In-Stat forecasts that in 2012 about one-third of all Wi-Fi shipments will be in consumer electronics devices, and one-third will be in handsets.

“Much like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, member companies who display the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo benefit from consumer recognition and the piece of mind that goes with it,” said Bob Angus, president of A&R Edelman and chair of Edelman Global Technology. “Consumers are more apt to purchase a product that has been independently tested and certified for security and interoperability.”

The WIFFIES winners were selected by judges Victoria Fodale, senior analyst at In-Stat; Bob Angus, president of A&R Edelman and chair of Edelman Global Technology; and Wi-Fi Alliance senior director Karen Hanley. To learn more about the WIFFIES, and to see materials from the winning campaigns, visit www.wi-fi.org/wiffies_awards.php.