Netopia's SDSL Equipment to Include Conexant's AutoBaud Technology to Reduce Connect Times and Offer Expanded Interoperability.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

ALAMEDA & NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

Netopia (Nasdaq:NTPA), a market leader in providing digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet equipment and e-commerce Web platforms to small and medium-size businesses, Monday announced that forthcoming releases of its SDSL (symmetric DSL) equipment will support Conexant's (Nasdaq: CNXT) AutoBaud(TM) technology for automatic setting of DSL line speed -- a key challenge facing the industry.

Through the use of Conexant's ZipWire(TM) SDSL transceivers and AutoBaud technology in its SDSL equipment, Netopia will offer its business customers much faster connect times and quicker recovery from circuit changes. AutoBaud also offers Netopia's service providers relief from delays caused by manually provisioning line speed and provides this capability in a wide range of central-office systems.

"Conexant is proud of the contribution AutoBaud technology is making to the industry, and takes great pride in Netopia's plans to feature it in their industry-leading products," said Mark Steenstra, director SDSL marketing.

"In addition to much quicker connection times at higher speeds, AutoBaud enables true product interoperability, nearly eliminating the user's concern over compatibility between the router/integrated access device and the carrier's central-office equipment."

"The integration of Conexant's AutoBaud technology in Netopia's SDSL equipment will allow systems to become linked in a matter of seconds as opposed to several minutes required in earlier SDSL systems," said Michael Trupiano, senior vice president and general manager of Netopia's Internet equipment group. "This technology will ensure quicker connection times for our business customers and less installation hassle for our service providers."

Conexant's AutoBaud technology is designed to significantly enhance the connection set-up process between SDSL equipment operating at any one of the line rates supported by SDSL technology, and to reduce time-consuming, manual-line qualification. AutoBaud allows carriers to automatically qualify and determine the maximum data rate supported by the line, alleviating the need for sending a service technician.

About Netopia Inc.

Netopia Inc. develops, markets and supports Internet and electronic commerce infrastructure for small and medium-size businesses. Netopia's DSL equipment and e-commerce Web platforms enable businesses to connect easily and cost-effectively to the Internet, establish and enhance their Internet presence and conduct business and electronic commerce on the Web.

With its Netopia DSL Router family, the company is interoperable with all major central-office equipment suppliers, including Alcatel, Cisco, Copper Mountain Networks, Lucent Technologies, Nokia, Orckit, Paradyne and Siemens; and has established strategic distribution relationships with leading CLECs including Covad Communications, NorthPoint Communications, Rhythms NetConnections and Jato Communications; and with hundreds of ISPs and carriers including France Telecom, Telecom Italia, Verizon, PSINet, Verio, UUNet, Earthlink Network and Concentric Network.

With its Netopia e-commerce Web platform, the company has established Web-based services with Bloomberg.com, Citigroup's bizzed.com, Cendant Corp., Netscape Netcenter, Jato Communications, Everdream, France Telecom and Mac Publishing's Macworld.com.

With headquarters in Alameda, Netopia's common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol "NTPA." Further information about Netopia can be obtained via phone [phone], fax [phone] or on the Web at www.netopia.com.

About Conexant Systems Inc.

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.

Conexant's Network Access Division provides semiconductor system solutions across a broad range of telecom and datacom infrastructure platforms and applications, including network processors, multiservices access processors, wide area network (WAN) solutions, digital subscriber line (xDSL) technologies and optical networking IC solutions.

By building upon today's broadest line of ICs and expertise in high-speed analog and digital connections, Conexant is well positioned to drive telecommunications infrastructure expansion. For additional information visit www.conexant.com.

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