Agere Systems' New TrueStore(TM) Read-Channel Chip for Storage Hard Disk Drives Reduces Battery Drain in Mobile Devices

Storage devices that rely on battery power require components that offer exceptional performance while using the least amount of power. Agere's TrueStore read-channel RC6500LP is optimized to deliver superior signal integrity and performance for portable hard disk storage applications and offers multiple power modes that reduce power consumption over previous generation Agere read-channels by up to 50 percent, depending on a drive's operating speed. The package size is also 50 percent smaller than comparable solutions, enabling compact and efficient mobile storage designs.

"Agere's new TrueStore read-channel delivers all the necessary ingredients for improving the storage capabilities of mobile products such as laptops and consumer electronics devices," said Joe O'Hare, vice president of Agere's Storage division. "In addition to offering superior power management and compact size, this read-channel supports a wide range of data rates, giving drive manufacturers flexibility in developing multiple storage devices for consumer applications using a single read-channel solution."

Agere's new read-channel IC offers sophisticated power management functions critical for portable applications. The chip offers four power modes -- running, idle, standby and coma -- with power savings improvements of up to 50 percent depending on the mode selected and operating speed.

Using advanced 130-nanometer CMOS process technology, Agere's TrueStore read-channel enables data rates from 50 to 900 megabits-per-second. This is accomplished by "tuning" the read-channel performance to the requirements of the storage application. The wide range of data rates gives drive manufacturers the flexibility of using a single read-channel platform to develop multiple disk drive architectures.

In addition, the RC6500LP uses a new 56-pin MLCC package that measures 7x7x0.6 millimeters, which offers a surface area that is 50 percent smaller than comparable solutions.

These new power management, data rate and packaging features complement Agere's read-channel signal integrity and integration benefits. Agere's read- channels enable high areal density through superior signal-to-noise ratio performance. As the industry continues to move to higher levels of chip integration, read-channels are the centerpiece for Agere's storage system-on- a-chip (SoC) designs, which incorporate other drive functions in a single integrated device. Agere's read-channels and storage SoCs feature best-in- class data detection, advanced mixed signal and digital signal processing technologies, self-servo write capability and support for next-generation perpendicular recording.

The TrueStore read-channel RC6500LP will be available in production quantities in second calendar quarter 2003.

Along with read-channels, Agere's TrueStore portfolio of storage solutions includes next-generation versions of Agere's SoCs, hard disk drive controllers, motor controllers, and preamplifiers. Agere's storage IC solutions deliver the performance required to meet the growing demand for storage capacity in applications ranging from traditional hard disk drives for desktop PCs, laptops and servers, as well as for consumer products such as game consoles, personal video recorders, digital cameras, PDAs and MP3 players.

For more information, customers may visit Agere's Web site at www.agere.com or contact one of Agere's regional sales offices. Customers in the U.S. may also call the Agere Systems Customer Response Center at 1-800-372-2447. Customers in Canada may call 1-800-553-2448. Customers outside those countries may call +1-610-712-4323. Fax inquiries may be directed to +1-610-712-4106, or email queries to docmaster@agere.com. Written inquiries should be sent to Agere Systems, Room 10A-301C, 1110 American Parkway NE, Lehigh Valley Central Campus, Allentown, PA, 18109, USA.

Agere Systems is a premier provider of advanced integrated circuit solutions for wireless data, high-density storage and multiservice networking applications. Agere's wireless data portfolio enables seamless network access and Internet connectivity through industry-leading WiFi/802.11 solutions for wireless LANs and computing applications, as well as its GPRS offering for data-capable cellular phones. The company also provides custom and standard multi-service networking solutions, such as broadband Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH components and wireless infrastructure chips, to move information across metro, access and enterprise networks. Agere is the market leader in providing integrated circuits such as read-channel chips, preamplifiers and system-on-a-chip solutions for high-density storage applications. Agere's customers include the leading PC manufacturers, wireless terminal providers, network equipment suppliers and hard disk drive providers. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com/.

TrueStore is a trademark of Agere Systems Inc.

Agere Safe Harbor Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements based on information available to Agere as of the date hereof. Agere's actual results could differ materially from the results stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, satisfactory outcome of our upcoming union contract negotiations, keeping pace with technological change, dependence on new product development, price and product competition, availability of manufacturing capacity, customer demand for our products and services, general industry and market conditions, timely completion of employment reductions and other restructuring and consolidation activities, limits on our ability to issue equity to raise capital and reliance on major customers and suppliers. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2002. Agere disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Glen Haley, +1-610-712-1747 (office), or +1-610-217-0781
(cellular), glenhaley@agere.com, or JoAnna Schooler, +1-610-712-1746 (office),
or +1-908-283-4060 (cellular), jschooler@agere.com, both of Agere Systems

Web site: http://www.agere.com/