News & Events
Intersil Applauds IEEE 802.11 Actions To Speed Data Rates in the 2.4 GHz Spectrum

-- 54Mbps data rates now possible in the 2.4GHz band~-- Ensures backwards compatibility to existing Wi-Fi systems

IRVINE, CA, November 16, 2001 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), the world’s leading developer of silicon technology for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), announced its support of a new proposal that was confirmed in a vote yesterday by Task Group G of the IEEE’s 802.11 Committee. The vote sets the stage for a new wireless networking standard (802.11g) that will allow data rates up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Current 802.11b Wi-Fi systems have a maximum data rate of 11 megabits per second (Mbps).

This new proposal redefines next-generation high-data-rate platforms for the industry. Microsoft and the major PC companies have consistently stated that it is critical that new high-data-rate products are backwards compatible to the current 11Mbps Wi-Fi products; the proposed standard includes backwards compatibility. Mandatory modulation schemes of the proposed standard are Complementary Code Keying (CCK), used in 802.11b, and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), used in 802.11a. Two optional modulations are allowed if systems manufacturers chose to add them: CCK-OFDM and CCK-PBCC.

“This is a huge win for the wireless industry for several reasons,” said Gregory Williams, president and CEO of Intersil Corporation. “First, it is backwards compatible with the large installed user base of over 11 million Wi-Fi products. Second, it meets our customers’ demands for significant speed increases in the 2.4 GHz band, necessary for multi-channel DVD-quality video and CD-quality audio applications.”

Intersil will develop and market a new chip set that meets the proposed 802.11g standard by the second quarter of 2002. The new chip set will implement the proposal’s mandatory CCK and OFDM modulation schemes, supporting data rates up to 54 Mbps. Intersil will not develop chip sets with the optional CCK-PBCC modulation. “We feel that the mandatory elements of the proposed standard meet all the needs of the market,” Williams commented. “Intersil will leverage our proven experience in radio reference designs, software and complete chip sets to deliver an exciting next generation of products fully backward compatible to existing 11 Mbps radios worldwide.”

The Global Wireless Market Embraces PRISM WLAN Technology
“Intersil is the number one manufacturer of wireless LAN chipsets and has been a driving force behind the success of WLANs,” said a May 2001 WLAN report from Cahners In-Stat Group. Since introducing the PRISM WLAN chip set in 1996, industry-leading companies including Actiontec, Alcatel, ASUS, Casio, Cisco, Compaq, 3Com, Dell, D-Link, GemTek, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Legend, Linksys, Nokia, Nortel, Panasonic, Quanta, Samsung, Sharp, Siemens, SOHOware, Sony, SpectraLink, Symbol, Z-Com and Zoom have incorporated PRISM chips in WLAN product designs. PRISM technology is designed to comply with the IEEE’s 802.11 global standard, and Intersil is a founding sponsor of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA), whose Wi-Fi brand is a mark of compatibility for 802.11-based systems. About Intersil
Intersil is a global leader in designing innovative wireless networking and high performance analog solutions that enable wireless access to video, data and voice in homes, offices and public places. Creating advanced power management products, Intersil provides reliable solutions for file servers, portable information appliances and over half of all computer microprocessors manufactured today. With a rich high performance analog and mixed signal portfolio, Intersil brings added value in providing complete silicon, software and reference design solutions to new products that bring portable connectivity to people wherever they live, work or travel. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Intersil has offices in cities throughout the US, Europe and Asia. For more information about Intersil or to find out how to become a member of our winning team, visit the company's Web site and career page at www.intersil.com.

This press release contains information relating to certain projections and business trends concerning the WLAN market that are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, and projections about our business and industry. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will" and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Furthermore, any forward-looking statements and projections made by others in this press release are not adopted by Intersil Corporation (“Intersil”) and Intersil is not responsible for the forward-looking statements and projections of others. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors. Important risk factors that may cause such material differences for Intersil in connection with WLAN market include, but are not limited to: the recent economic slowdown in the technology sector and the semiconductor industry; the rate at which consumers adopt small handheld Internet appliances and portable computing devices in enterprises and in homes; the rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Intersil’s wireless technologies and products, including our embedded LAN applications; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders; the loss of a key customer; the qualification, availability and pricing of competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and pricing of our products; silicon wafer pricing and the availability and quality of foundry and assembly capacity and raw materials; the effectiveness of Intersil’s expense and product cost control and reduction efforts; intellectual property disputes, customer indemnification claims, and other litigation risks; Intersil’s ability to develop, market, and transition to volume production new products and technologies in a timely manner; risks inherent in acquisitions and divestitures, such as the anticipated benefits not being realized, integration issues, unanticipated costs, changing relationships with customers and suppliers, accounting treatment and charges; as well as other risk factors. Intersil’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, recent Registration Statement on Form S-3, and other Intersil filings with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s Web site www.sec.gov) discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and Intersil undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
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