Agere Systems Broadens Market-Leading Modem Portfolio With a Variety of New Offerings Including Dual-Mode 'Azalia' Modem Chip

With a focus on providing enhanced audio features, Agere is delivering a dual-mode modem integrated circuit (IC) that can be configured automatically to either HD audio bus or the current AC97 audio specification used in millions of PCs and notebooks, without changing the layout, schematic or bill- of-materials of AC97 modem cards. In addition, Agere has developed a new controller-based modem chip series supporting data rates from V.34 (33.6 Kbits/sec) to V.90 (56 Kbits/sec) as well as all V.92 features to serve the external modem aftermarket and embedded applications. Agere's solutions will be showcased at the Computex 2004 trade show, being held this week in Taipei, Taiwan.

"As a leader in modem chips, Agere continues to strengthen its modem product portfolio with these new chips servicing connectivity needs in today's PCs and embedded solutions as well as addressing new interface standards and communications applications," said Stan Swearingen, vice president of Agere's Computing Connectivity division. "Agere's modem chips deliver highly integrated, high-performance solutions that enable OEMs to rapidly bring cost- effective, feature-rich products to market."

Dual-mode modem chip for HD audio

Agere's SV92A2 digital chip is fully compliant with the new HD audio specification, which supports improved audio capabilities for voice and communications applications and serves as the bus for transmitting data between a modem and host PC. A unique auto-detect feature enables the chip to configure automatically to either an AC97-based bus controller or the HD audio controller. This device can also be used in new designs that are based on the HD audio-defined mobile daughter card form factor (MDC 1.5), to save space on the motherboard and lower overall system costs. Using one board based on the SV92A2 IC to support either environment allows modem customers to easily transition to HD audio while continuing to support AC97 products, without the need for recertification.

Agere's modem solution requires less than 50 discrete components for a low bill-of-materials and smaller footprints, providing easier layout and more thermally robust hardware designs. Agere offers a single unified driver to support all soft modem applications.

Controller-based modem chip series

Agere is also offering three separate digital chip solutions that enable integrated, feature-rich and cost-effective embedded designs for external modem products and general non-PC modem applications including multi-function peripherals, set-top boxes, point-of-sale terminals and fax devices. The OCM34, OCM90 and OCM92 digital modem ICs - which support the V.34, V.90 and V.92 standards, respectively - are highly integrated, single-chip solutions that combine controller and digital signal processing functions with no external memory required. In addition, these chips support handset/speakerphone and caller ID applications, serial RS-232 and parallel 8- bit interfaces, and are operating system independent. Available in 48-pin and 128-pin packages, these chips can be used with Agere's 1034S line codec to offer complete, cost-effective modem solutions.

The SV92A2 and OCM products are currently sampling to customers and are expected to be in volume production in third calendar quarter 2004.

For more information, customers may visit Agere's Web site at http://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 e-mail 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 global leader in semiconductors for storage, wireless data, and public and enterprise networks. The company's chips and software power a broad range of computing and communications applications, from cell phones, PCs, PDAs, hard disk drives and gaming devices to the world's most sophisticated wireless and wireline networks. Agere's customers include the top manufacturers of consumer electronics, communications and computing equipment. Agere's products make personal broadband a reality, connecting people to information and entertainment -- at home, at work and on the road.

Agere is a registered trademark and Agere Systems and the Agere Systems logo are trademarks of Agere Systems Inc.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on information currently available to Agere. 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, our ability to keep pace with technological change, our 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, and our 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, 2003, and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004. 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, +1-610-217-0781 (mobile),
glenhaley@agere.com; or JoAnna Schooler, +44-1344-865-815, +44-7899-063-151
(mobile), jschooler@agere.com, both of Agere Systems

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