Conexant Delivers Enhanced Performance for ADSL Modems; Netopia Selects New Platform for Next-Generation ADSL Modems.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 2003

Conexant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT), a worldwide leader in semiconductor system solutions for digital home information and entertainment networks, today announced the availability of new reference designs for enhanced-performance ADSL modems. The designs, which are based on the company's single-chip CX82310 ADSL router, CX82320 ADSL USB modem and ADSL endpoint, include a performance-improving hybrid filter that results in superior upstream and downstream data rates. Netopia (Nasdaq:NTPA), a market leader in broadband equipment, software and services, has selected Conexant's new design for their next-generation ADSL modems.

"Optimizing our existing advanced, single-chip solutions is an extremely cost-effective method of delivering both value and increased upstream and downstream modem performance," said Chee Kwan, vice president of Broadband Access Products for Conexant. "We've developed an innovative hybrid filter that provides substantial performance improvements, while simultaneously delivering a common platform for Annex A and Annex B markets. This approach allows our customers to develop higher speed modems, keep bill-of-material costs low and easily serve a global market with a single design. With more than 3.5 million units of our single-chip solutions shipped in the first six months of 2003, we remain committed to developing innovative solutions for this growing market segment."

"Telecom carriers and service providers are continually looking to improve quality of service levels by deploying modems that can connect reliably and consistently on long and difficult loops," said Jeff Porter, vice president of marketing for Netopia. "With Conexant's new design, Netopia's Smart Modems will maintain their critical competitive advantage as we continue to enable our major carrier customers to expand their DSL market share."

The hybrid filter provides substantial performance improvements in both Annex A and Annex B operation, particularly on loops with bridge taps. Bridge taps occur when a local loop connects with the primary local loop, adversely affecting xDSL performance. In addition, the new reference design supports both Annex A and Annex B without any changes to the design, the need for component stuffing options, or the use of program-controlled switches to configure the design for either Annex A or Annex B operation, allowing customers to maintain only one high performance, cost-effective part to address both Annex A and Annex B markets.

The new reference designs are available today with a complete set of documentation and design material.

Conexant's ADSL semiconductors lead the market in terms of integration and increased functionality, and include a variety of form factors ranging from internal PCI to external USB and stand-alone bridge/routers.

About Conexant

Conexant's innovative semiconductor system solutions are driving digital home information and entertainment networks worldwide. The company has leveraged its expertise and leadership position in modem technologies to enable more Internet connections than all of its competitors combined, and continues to develop leading integrated silicon solutions for cable, satellite, terrestrial data and digital video networks.

Key products include digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modem solutions, home network processors, broadcast video encoders and decoders, digital set-top box components and systems solutions, and dial-up modems. The company also offers a suite of wireless data and networking components solutions that includes HomePlug(R), HomePNA(TM) and WLAN (802.11) components and reference designs.

Conexant is a fabless semiconductor company and has approximately 1,500 employees. The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif. To learn more, visit us at www.conexant.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press 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: 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 of manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; product obsolescence; the ability to develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection for the related intellectual property; and the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including 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.

Note to Editors: Conexant is a trademark of Conexant Systems, Inc. HomePlug is a registered trademark of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. and HomePNA is a trademark of the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.