STMicroelectronics' Fourth-Generation Satellite Demodulator Includes Turbo Coder/Decoder.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), the world's leading supplier of set-top box (STB) chips, has introduced the industry's most advanced demodulator for digital satellite television applications.

Manufactured in 0.18-micron CMOS technology, the STV0499 includes QPSK, 8PSK and 16QAM mapping and an integrated Turbo coder/decoder. The 8PSK/16QAM Turbo coding system increases the bandwidth of advanced satellite transmission by more than 35% compared to standard commercial transmission with existing satellite installations. It also supports an increase in bandwidth of up to 50% if 8PSK transmission is used.

Fully compliant with DVB-S and DIRECTV specifications, the STV0499 is also able to encode and decode 8PSK and 16QAM with backward compatibility to existing QPSK set-top boxes, smoothing the transition to higher broadcasting performances. In addition, it offers seamless connection to ST's industry standard STi55xx (OMEGA) set top box decoders, while reducing the system cost.

Addressing all digital satellite TV markets, the STV0499 allows broadcasters to obtain increased bandwidth through their existing transponders, thereby allowing them to offer additional services (such as additional standard TV channels, HDTV or Internet download) or to reduce the dish size by more than 33% with their existing satellite slots.

Another key advantage of the STV0499 is the ability to cope with both full broadband satellite (based on 8PSK/16QAM and Turbo code) and also backward compatibility without disrupting existing QPSK transmission, so there is no legacy issue with boxes already deployed. The wide frequency range of 950-2150MHz covers all worldwide needs and allows flexible data rates of up to 75Mbaud.

"The STV0499 embodies ST's seven years of experience in providing the satellite TV industry with leading-edge solutions with ever-increasing levels of integration," said Christos Lagomichos, vice president and general manager of ST's Set-Top Box Division. "With this device, we are providing broadcasters with a risk-free path to take digital satellite TV into its next stage."

Working in close collaboration with France Telecom, the inventor of Turbo Code technology, has enabled ST to establish an early mastery of this new technology, with the result that the STV0499 achieves exceptionally high performance characteristics approaching the theoretical limits.

Major application areas for the product are in digital satellite TV markets where increased bandwidth is required for extra channel transmission, HDTV or high speed Internet downloads for use in interactive TV. In addition, the STV0499 supports the latest DiSEqC 2.x technology, allowing bi-directional data transmission between the set-top box in the house and the dish equipment outside.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics, the world's third largest semiconductor company, is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2001, the Company's net revenues were $6.36 billion and net earnings were $257.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.