Conexant Becomes First Manufacturer to Achieve CableLabs Certification for a Single-Chip, Cable-Modem Solution in USB, PCI and Ethernet Cable-Modem Platforms.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2000

Two Additional Customers Receive CableLabs(R) Certification for

Products Based On Conexant's Cable-Modem Portfolio, Which Offers

Manufacturers the Industry's Broadest Selection of Connection Points

Conexant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT) Tuesday announced that two more customers received CableLabs certification for products based on Conexant's InfoSurge(TM) CN9414 single-chip cable modem.

Offering manufacturers the widest variety of interconnect options, Conexant is the first to achieve CableLabs certification for a single-chip, cable-modem solution in universal serial bus (USB), peripheral component interconnect (PCI) and Ethernet designs. The latest CableLabs certification round included products from Zoom Telephonics Inc. and D-Link Corp.

Conexant has now successfully completed the rigorous CableLabs certification process across eight separate customer designs in the past five months. The CableLabs-Certified(TM) seal gives consumers and cable operators the assurance that certified cable modems comply with CableLabs standards and will be interoperable among multiple cable-modem vendors.

"We are very proud of our mutual accomplishments. Conexant's InfoSurge single-chip, cable-modem solution continues to be adopted by more and more customers throughout North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim," said Greg Fischer, vice president of marketing for Conexant's Digital Infotainment Division.

"Through our partnerships, we now have cable-modem solutions in products ranging from set-top boxes that offer interactive TV to residential gateways that support home-networking options. The InfoSurge single-chip, cable-modem solution also enabled certification of the world's first products with a PCI interface -- a major industry breakthrough that allows consumers to purchase PCs with built-in, high-speed cable modems through retail or PC OEM channels."

Part of Conexant's InfoSurge family of digital broadband-communications products, the CN9414 single-chip cable modem is the only device of its kind to include a programmable media access control (MAC) layer that can be software upgraded to support new feature sets and industry standards. This reduces cable-modem product costs by as much as 25 percent as compared with alternative solutions.

"The rate at which our customers have obtained CableLabs certification speaks volumes about the completeness of Conexant's solution, and the flexibility of our programmable MAC architecture," said Frank La Barbera, product line manager for cable-modem products at Conexant. "Customers can offer uniquely differentiated products for a variety of applications, while gaining a tremendous time-to-market advantage."

Zoom's newly certified USB cable modem is its third InfoSurge-based product to be released into the marketplace. D-Link received re-certification for its Ethernet solution, following its successful certification of InfoSurge-based products in the prior test wave in September.

In July and September, seven other customer designs received CableLabs certification using Conexant's InfoSurge CN9414 single-chip cable modem, including solutions from D-Link, GVC Corp., OL'E Communications, PowerCom Technology Co. Ltd., Terayon and Zoom Telephonics.

About Conexant Systems, Inc.

With revenues of $2.1 billion in fiscal 2000, 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 organizes its activities into two business areas: Internet infrastructure, which consists of the Network Access Division, and personal networking, comprised of the Digital Infotainment, Personal Imaging, Wireless Communications and Personal Computing divisions. Conexant is a member of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 Indices.

For more information, visit Conexant at www.conexant.com.

Conexant's Digital Infotainment Division is a leading provider of semiconductor systems for broadband and broadcast communications applications. Addressing the convergence of PCs with consumer entertainment products, the division's broad portfolio includes cable and wireless modems, IP telephony products, digital set-top boxes and digital broadcast and video solutions for personal computing appliances.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements relating to future results of Conexant (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 for the related intellectual property; the successful implementation of the company's diversification strategy; the announced spin off of the Internet infrastructure business; 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.