GVC Corp. Uses Conexant's Single-Chip Cable Modem in One of Industry's First CableLabs-Certified Products That Can be Bundled Directly Into Mainstream PCs.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2000

GVC Offers One of The Industry's First Certified Cable Modems With A

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Interface, a Major Industry

Breakthrough That Will Allow Consumers to Purchase PCs With Built-In

Always-On, High-Speed Cable Modems

Conexant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT) Thursday announced that GVC Corp. has chosen Conexant's InfoSurge(TM) CN9414 single-chip cable modem solution for use in cable modem products that can be bundled directly into mainstream PCs.

GVC is one of only two companies that received coveted CableLabs certification Thursday for the first cable modem card that includes a PCI interface.

GVC's cable modem will make it significantly easier for cable system operators to provision broadband cable services by providing cable modems as a bundled PC feature rather than delivering and installing them at the customer premises.

In developing the underlying semiconductor system solution for GVC's PCI cable modem, Conexant has leveraged its extensive expertise as one of the industry's leading suppliers of bundled connectivity solutions for mainstream PCs. Conexant's PCI cable modem solution is also the first and only solution of its kind to receive Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) certification.

"GVC selected Conexant's solution because of its high level of integration and unique, programmable media access control (MAC) architecture, which provided us with the ideal platform for today's dynamic broadband industry," said Y. L. Su, Ph.D., president of GVC Corp.

"Conexant's technology has enabled GVC to develop a PCI cable modem that can be software upgraded via network download to accommodate changing standards and application enhancements. This feature is critical for upgrading to next-generation technologies, and will be particularly attractive to cable service providers that want to minimize truck rolls and equipment obsolescence," Su added.

"Plus, because Conexant's cable-modem solution allows GVC's product to be integrated inside the PC with a minimal number of components, this will give consumers the price points and convenience they've come to expect for Internet connectivity products.

"This step will reduce the provisioning complexity for cable service providers, ultimately leading to faster rates for which they can bring subscribers on line. We are excited to have worked with Conexant, whose PC communication expertise has allowed this product introduction to be the first of its kind."

"We are pleased to have achieved this major industry breakthrough with GVC that will enable PC makers to install cable modems directly inside PCs," said Dan Marotta, vice president and general manager of Conexant's Digital Infotainment Division. "Our innovative PCI solution will accelerate the market for cable modems by allowing consumers to buy PCs with built-in always-on, high-speed cable modems.

"Products like GVC's will enable cable modems to take the same path that today's ubiquitous dial-up modems have -- as a cost-effective, bundled feature of mainstream PCs."

The CableLabs Certified Cable Modems project, formerly known as Data Over Cable System Interface Specification (DOCSIS), defines interface requirements for cable modems involved in high-speed data distribution over cable television networks.

The project also provides cable-modem equipment suppliers with a fast, market-oriented method for attaining cable industry acknowledgement of DOCSIS compliance, and has resulted in high-speed cable modems being certified for retail sale.

GVC's cable modem has received DOCSIS 1.0 certification, and can also be quickly and easily software-upgraded to new specifications and feature sets as they evolve.

Conexant's CN9414 single-chip cable modem is part of the company's InfoSurge family of digital broadband communications products. This is the only solution to include a programmable media access control (MAC) architecture that can be software-upgraded to support new feature sets and worldwide industry standards.

The CN9414 is a global solution serving the DOCSIS, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB), and EuroDOCSIS marketplaces. The CN9414 was the first cable modem IC verified through the Technical University of Braunschweig, making standard DVB modems readily available.

About Conexant's Digital Infotainment Division

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.

About Conexant Systems

With a revenue run-rate of approximately $2 billion per year, 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 aligns its business into five product platforms: Network Access, Wireless Communications, Digital Infotainment, Personal Imaging, and Personal Computing. Conexant is a member of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 Indices. For more information, visit Conexant at www.conexant.com.

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