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Press Release

Conexant Expands Portfolio Of Radio Frequency Subsystems With Solution For TDMA Wireless Phones

Conexant Expands Portfolio Of Radio Frequency Subsystems With Solution For TDMA Wireless PhonesConexant Editorial contact:
Scott Allen

Conexant Systems, Inc.
949-483-6849
scott.allen@conexant.com


Judy Anderson or Heather McLaughlin
Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide
949-260-1300
judy_anderson@benjamingroup.com

 

Conexant Expands Portfolio Of Radio Frequency Subsystems
With Solution For TDMA Wireless Phones

Spanning The World's Wireless Standards, Conexant Radio Frequency (RF) Solutions Deliver Industry-Leading Integration

Newport Beach, Calif., June 13, 2000 - Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) today announced that it has expanded its family of RF subsystems with a new offering for IS-136-compliant time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular phones. Now providing RF subsystems for TDMA, code division multiple access (CDMA) and global system for mobile communications (GSM) handsets, Conexant is the industry's only supplier of complete, highly-integrated RF chipsets for all three of the world's most popular
wireless standards.

Conexant's latest RF subsystem is a triple-mode, dual-band radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) solution for TDMA/advanced mobile phone system (AMPS) cellular phones. Triple-mode, dual-band functionality allows users to benefit from increased coverage by operating over multiple networks. This RF subsystem consists of a transmit and receive application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). When combined with Conexant's TDMA power amplifier, these devices provide a complete, highly-integrated RF subsystem for TDMA phones. Conexant's integrated solution reduces component count and board space versus discrete solutions, giving phone manufacturers a significant time-to-market and cost advantage.

Together, TDMA, CDMA and GSM phones are expected to account for 97 percent of the global wireless market by 2004, according to The Strategis Group analyst firm. The EMC World Cellular Database reports that IS-136 TDMA subscribers grew from 16.2 million in 1998 to 36.6 million subscribers in 1999, and is expected to grow 62% in 2000.

"Conexant's TDMA RF ASIC solution offers customers the highest level of integration
for the radio subsystem in a tri-mode TDMA handset. The two-chip solution allows customers to bring competitive TDMA handsets to market quickly," said Mohy Abdelgany, vice president, RF components and subsystems of Conexant's Wireless Communications Division. "With few modifications, the solution will support emerging EDGE requirements - the migration path to third generation (3G) wireless communications for TDMA
network operators."

Existing TDMA and GSM networks can accommodate a new air modulation technology called enhanced data for GSM evolution (EDGE), a stepping stone to 3G wireless communications. EDGE will use current TDMA and GSM frequency bands, network equipment and radio sites, and in effect, unify these two standards so users can
access wireless multimedia services across both networks on a global basis.

Technical Information
Conexant's TDMA RF subsystem is comprised of two devices, both designed to increase battery life in the user's phone. The transmit ASIC is a triple-mode, dual-band transmitter and consumes less than 90 mAmps current at full operational power, extending talk time. The receive ASIC includes virtually all the necessary functions for
a radio receiver system. The device's current consumption is less then 30 mAmps, extending standby time.

Both the transmit and receive ASICs are packaged in a 48-pin thin quad flat pack (TQFP) or 7 x 7-millimeter land grid array (LGA). Available now, the pair of ASICs are priced at less than $8 in production quantities.

About TDMA
TDMA is a digital enhancement to the analog AMPS. The first digital cellular standard deployed in the Americas, TDMA can accommodate three times as many users as AMPS. In addition to transmitting voice calls, TDMA also supports data, fax, short message services and broadcast messages. Plus, users of mobile phones enjoy extended battery life and talk time because the phone only transmits during a fraction of the time while the call takes place. TDMA is also attractive for cellular operators because base station equipment, space and maintenance are less expensive than for competing standards.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: global and market conditions, including, but not limited
to, the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets addressed by the company's and its customers' products; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; the timing of new product introductions; the availability and extent of utilization of manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; fluctuations in manufacturing yields; product obsolescence; the ability to develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection of the related intellectual property; the successful implementation of the company's diversification strategy and restructuring plan; labor relations of the company, its customers and suppliers; and the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the
company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.


About Conexant Systems, Inc.
With a revenue run-rate of approximately $2 billion per year, Conexant is the world's largest independent company focused exclusively on providing semiconductor solutions for communications electronics. With more than 30 years
of experience in developing communications technology, the company draws upon its expertise in mixed-signal processing to deliver integrated systems and semiconductor products for a broad range of communications applications. These products facilitate communications worldwide through wireline voice and data communications networks, cordless and cellular wireless telephony systems, personal imaging devices and equipment, and emerging cable and wireless broadband communications networks. The company aligns its business into five product platforms: Network Access, Wireless Communications, Digital Infotainment, Personal Imaging, and Personal Computing. Conexant is a member of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 Indices. For more information, visit Conexant at www.conexant.com.