Avnet Electronics Marketing's RF & Microwave Division Signs Distribution Agreement with Philips Electronics.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2003

Avnet Electronics Marketing's RF & Microwave division has signed an agreement with Philips Electronics to provide its customers with complete Bluetooth(TM) and RF (802.11x range) value-added solutions to help meet the growing demand for wireless integration products and support. These solutions will be offered exclusively through Avnet RF & Microwave's specialized business unit, Avnet Wavelength Design Services (WDS).

As one of today's leading providers of total wireless connectivity solutions, and the first associate member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Philips, with its innovative solutions will help further the adoption of Bluetooth by offering Avnet WDS customers more flexibility with wireless connectivity.

Philips has several key products focused on wireless solutions, including several Bluetooth products that are available in various form factors, such as a PC card and Type II compact flash adaptor. In addition the Philips line of 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11a/b-combined technologies address the demands for OEMs looking for wireless networking products that ensure interoperability and backwards compatibility from existing 802.11b infrastructures to 802.11a.

"Up until now, companies planning to add wireless functionality to their end products have had difficult choices to make on how to proceed," according to Joel Levine, president of Avnet RF & Microwave. "The agreement with Philips provides Avnet WDS with a proven wireless technology partner that will improve our customer's time to market, by accelerating all stages from concept and development through production, in addition to simplifying the design and supply chain. Philips' innovative wireless technology solutions will play an integral role in helping to make Avnet WDS an easy choice for companies that are looking to add wireless functionality to their end products."

"Our partnership with Avnet creates a powerful distribution channel to provide innovative connectivity solutions to a wide variety of professional customers," noted Mazy Sehrgosha, vice president, sales and marketing, Philips, Connectivity Group. "Moreover, today's announcement further demonstrates our clear focus on delivering both standard products and customized products, spanning across multiple wireless technologies including Bluetooth, 802.11x and GPRS."

From product definition and design, to supply chain management, Avnet Wavelength Design Solutions provides customers with a total solution for integrating wireless technology into their end products. For additional information about Avnet WDS, please visit its Web site at www.avnetRF.com/wds, or call 866/avnetRF (286-3873).

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing, serving customers in 63 countries, is the largest operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT), ranked 168 in the Fortune 500, and one of the world's largest technology marketing and services companies. Avnet Electronics Marketing, Americas (EMA) serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs), electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers and electronic component manufacturers (ECMs) in North America and Brazil through four focused business units, offering electronic components and services. Avnet Cilicon focuses solely on semiconductors with dedicated channels to specific end market segments; Avnet IP&E is the leading interconnect, passive and electromechanical components specialist; Avnet RF & Microwave is the distribution market leader in the sale of components and services to the wireless electronics industry; Avnet Supply Chain Services provides end-to-end supply chain optimization programs. The company's Web site is located at www.avnet.com.

About Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $28.8 billion (EUR 32.3 billion) in 2001. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 189,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.news.philips.com.

ATTN Broadcasters: Philips b-roll (via beta copy, fiber transmission and satellite feed) is available 24/7 from PR NEWSWIRE (212/375-0021).

Bluetooth and the Bluetooth logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc., U.S.A. and licensed to Philips Electronics.