AGERE SYSTEMS MODEM CHIP REDUCES DESKTOP COMPUTER BUS SIZE 80%.

The costs and sizes of desktop personal computers (PCs) can be significantly reduced and made smaller because of a new internal modem chip introduced by Agere Systems (NYSE:AGR).

Called the SV92U2, this Universal Serial Bus (USB)-based modem chipset makes it possible to reduce desktop PC bus sizes by 80 percent by eliminating the need for Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)-based modems. In addition to cost and size reductions, the smaller-sized bus makes it possible to produce easier-to-use PCs for consumers.

Using the SV92U2 -- smaller than the size of a dime (a U.S. currency coin) -- Agere offers three USB modem alternatives. The first, configured as an internal modem, makes possible a direct replacement of the PCI modem.

The second features an external USB dongle modem for applications that offer the modem as an option. The third offering consists of a USB modem, delivered on a half minicard form factor size, for PCs that house the mini-card architecture.

Available now, this new chip addresses current requirements because of a widespread transition in desktop PCs from PCI bus technology to alternative buses such as USB.

Computer buses embody the electronic equivalent of highways that connect various chips inside PCs, cameras and scanners. The 32-bit parallel PCI bus used in desktop PCs consists of several parallel rows of electronic wires, and requires a significant amount of motherboard routing area.

While PCI has been used for several years, many of the functions that previously used this bus have been integrated into core logic chips on the motherboard. Going forward, the remaining functions such as the modem, Flash memory cards and external hard drives, can be effectively handled using serial bus technology such as USB.

"As computer makers eliminate the PCI bus, USB is an untapped resource for modem attachment that offers economy and flexibility to future PC designs," said Mort Herman, modem product line manager for Agere Systems. "This explains why Agere is focusing its new modem offerings around USB. When you can dramatically shrink the size of the computer bus, all sorts of cost and space efficiencies materialize."

Agere ranks among the elite, worldwide leaders in sales of modem chips, and has held this position for the past decade. The company's modem chips operate in more than 80 countries including five of the 10 PC manufacturers and numerous original equipment manufacturers.

Agere Systems is a provider of semiconductors for storage, wireless data, and public and enterprise networks. The company's chips and software power a broad range of computing and communications applications, from cell phones, PCs, PDAs, hard disk drives and gaming devices to the world's most sophisticated wireless and wireline networks. Agere's customers include top manufacturers of consumer electronics, communications and computing equipment. Agere's products connect people to information and entertainment at home, at work and on the road-enabling the connected lifestyle.

Contact Agere for pricing details.

Agere Systems can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.agere.com/.

For more information, call 1-800-372-2447 (U.S.). Customers in Canada, call 1-800-553-2448. Customers outside those countries, call 610/712-4323.