Alberto Mantovani Joins Valence Semiconductor; Co-Founder and Former Chairman of HomePlug Alliance to Direct Valence's Digital Home Initiative.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2001

Valence Semiconductor, a global provider of highly integrated system on silicon solutions for the broadband and mobile connectivity markets, today announced that home networking leader, Alberto Mantovani, has joined the company as vice president of broadband connectivity business development.

Mantovani, who was co-founder and previous chairman of the HomePlug Alliance, will be responsible for developing business opportunities for Valence's broadband connectivity segment and will help drive the company's Digital Home initiative. Mantovani's responsibility includes Valence's HomePlug, 802.11a and network processor products. Valence has a series of products in these areas scheduled for release over the next six months.

In March of 2000, Mantovani co-founded the industry consortium that became known as the HomePlug Alliance. As the Alliance's first president and chairman of the board, he successfully expanded the consortium to encompass support from 90 industry companies.

"Alberto is a leader in home networking technology who can help Valence lead the industry in defining market-centric objectives and products," said Mehrdad Negahban, president and CEO for Valence Semiconductor.

"Given his strong network of industry contacts, and Valence's growing portfolio of broadband connectivity products, Alberto is ideally suited to lead our efforts in creating the Digital Home of the future. We are very pleased that he has joined our team."

"Through his active participation with various home networking forums and industry working groups, Alberto has emerged as one of the experts in the rapidly developing connected home marketplace," said Michael Wolf, director of residential connectivity research for Cahners In-Stat and author of "Speed!: Understanding and Installing Home Networks."

"With Valence developing leading-edge silicon solutions in home networking, the addition of Alberto will provide the company with tremendous value, vision and objectives as this demand-driven industry quickly emerges."

With the rapid expansion of broadband connectivity within the home and enterprise, the need to bridge different media and topologies is the charter for Valence's development activities. Valence is one of few companies designing silicon solutions, reference designs and systems in pure CMOS that enable its customers to produce solutions for everyday life that are simple, intuitive and cost-effective.

"There is an excellent fit between my expertise and Valence's vision and product objectives," said Mantovani. "One of my primary interests is to help shape the Digital Home of the future. In my opinion, Valence is helping to change the way that people live and work at home. In that regard, I am realizing a dream and look forward to meeting Valence's corporate and product objectives."

Prior to joining Valence, Mantovani served as a division director for small business and consumer networking for Conexant Systems of Newport Beach, Calif., where he led initiatives to address the emerging residential broadband and networking markets. He also served as division director of strategic programs. During his 10 years at Conexant, Mantovani served in management roles that included technology planning, marketing and sales and was a member of the board of directors for HomePNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance.)

For More Information

For more information on Valence and its silicon solutions covering broadband networking, mobile connectivity and digital media, visit the company Web site at www.valencesemi.com or call 949/655-4100. Valence Semiconductor is located at 41 Discovery, Irvine, Calif., 92618.

About Valence Semiconductor

Valence Semiconductor is a rapidly growing mixed-signal communications semiconductor company that specializes in designing highly integrated, advanced silicon solutions that enable the transmission of voice, video, audio and data within home and office network environments.

The company's integrated circuits are targeted for OEM customers who cover such markets as broadband access, home networking, residential broadband gateways, multimedia and global positioning systems. Valence is one of only a handful of companies with proven success in providing high-speed, mixed-signal and RF (radio frequency) designs in deep sub-micron CMOS that yield low-cost, low-power consumption and highly integrated solutions.

Note To Editors: Valence Semiconductor is a trademark of Valence Semiconductor Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other registered trademarks or trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.