News & Events
Intersil Supports Microsoft’s Initiative to Integrate IEEE 802.1x Security Features in Its Windows XP Platform

— Plans to develop WHQL-certified PRISM Reference Designs for Windows XP

IRVINE, CA, April 3, 2000 — Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), the world’s leading provider of silicon technology for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), is proud to join other WLAN industry leaders in support of Microsoft’s plan to integrate the emerging IEEE 802.1x security authentication standard in its new Windows XP operating system. Intersil will support Microsoft’s efforts to make WLANs a secure, reliable, high-performance networking medium by developing PRISM Reference Designs for Windows XP that are Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified.

Security implementations using the IEEE 802.1x standard enable WLAN users to connect securely and easily to a network. Following authentication, the 802.1x protocol is configured to request the user to re-authenticate periodically. The wireless access point initiates a process that stops data from being forwarded to either a wireless or wired network without a valid authentication key.

"Intersil is a staunch supporter of the IEEE 802.1x standard that will enable easy deployment of secure WLAN networks in the enterprise, small business and home," said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager of PRISM Wireless Products at Intersil. "Microsoft’s initiative to support IEEE 802.11 wireless systems by incorporating the new security standards into the Windows XP operating system is further validation of 802.11 as mainstream technology."

The new 802.1x security enhancements are a perfect complement to the PRISM WLAN portfolio of 802.11-compliant chip sets. PRISM chip sets deliver an 11 megabit-per-second (Mbps) data rate and are fully compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard. PRISM-based systems are feature-rich and provide fast, reliable performance in all types of networking environments. Advanced design and process technologies reduce power consumption, design complexity and total system cost. PRISM chip sets include reference designs, evaluation kits, firmware and software in addition to the highly integrated silicon.

Adoption of PRISM WLAN Technology
Since introducing the PRISM WLAN chip set in 1996, over fifty companies have incorporated PRISM chips in more than 100 product designs. In a May 2000 report, Cahners In-Stat Group called Intersil "the dominant force in the WLAN chip set marketplace with their PRISM chipsets holding the majority of market share." PRISM technology is designed to comply with the IEEE’s 802.11b 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 802.11b-based systems. PRISM/work™ and PRISM/home™ products are used in WLAN systems from industry-leading companies including Alcatel, Cisco, Compaq, 3Com, Dell, D-Link, Linksys, Nokia, Nortel, Samsung, Scientific-Atlanta, Siemens, SOHOware, Sony, SpectraLink, Symbol and Zoom.

About Intersil
Intersil is a leading supplier of semiconductors, reference designs and software for wireless access and communications analog markets. Intersil applies analog, mixed-signal and radio frequency (RF) expertise to products that enable wireless access to broadband media; provide reliable power management for PCs, files servers and portable information appliances; and convert analog and digital signals in cellular and Internet infrastructure. For more information about Intersil, visit the company's Internet homepage 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 Holding 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 rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Intersil’s wireless technologies and products; 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 of foundry and assembly capacity and raw materials; intellectual property disputes; as well as other risk factors detailed from time to time in Intersil’s filings with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. 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.

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PRISM is a registered trademark and PRISM/work and PRISM/home are trademarks of Intersil Americas Inc.

Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance.

All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.