HSDPA Chipset Solution enables 3.6 Mbps data downlinks.

Press Release Summary:



Scalable X455 platform enables development of mass-market HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) capable feature phones and Smartphones. As dual-chip solution, it facilitates migration from W-CDMA to HSDPA technology while providing complete digital and analog baseband functionality. Unit simultaneously supports Release 5 Category 6 downlink, W-CDMA uplink and downlink (384 Kbps), as well as voice services for broadband cellular performance.



Original Press Release:



Agere Systems Introduces 3.6 Megabit-Per-Second HSDPA Chipset Solution for Mass-Market, Wireless Feature Phones



- X455 chipset solution enables sub-$150 mass-market HSDPA phones, providing data downlinks at rates nearly 10 times faster than current W-CDMA solutions

- Company plans to show 3.6 Mbps HSDPA technology, Feb.13-16 at the 3GSM World Congress Tradeshow in Barcelona, Spain

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 13 - Agere Systems (NYSE:AGR) today announced that engineering samples are available for its new chipset solution enabling the development of mass-market HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) capable feature phones and Smartphones at price points of $150 or less.

Phones and PC cards based on Agere's X455 HSDPA product will support true mobile broadband connectivity by enabling data downlinks at up to 3.6 megabits per second (Mbps), nearly ten times faster than the peak rates of W-CDMA solutions. The company plans to demonstrate a 3.6 Mbps HSDPA chipset solution for key customers at the 3GSM World Congress tradeshow this week in Barcelona, Spain. Agere's booth number is C81 in Fira Barcelona Hall #1.

Agere's X455 is designed to address manufacturer and service provider demand for products that enable very quick and easy migrations from W-CDMA to HSDPA technology. At present, service providers have launched a total of 100 W-CDMA networks in 42 countries around the world with many of them announcing plans to further evolve their networks with HSDPA trials and service deployments in the near future.* To achieve this goal, they want leading-edge HSDPA solutions that can deliver an enhanced user experience for such revenue- generating applications as real-time audio and streaming video, interactive gaming, Internet browsing and push-to-talk services.

"Today we have sampled an HSDPA solution that brings wireless broadband to high-volume, mainstream price points," said Denis Regimbal, executive vice president of Agere's Mobility Division. "Unlike competitive solutions, Agere's X455 is a flexible communications engine that allows our customers to target products for the volume segments of the market, where the value-added services that HSDPA brings to life will generate lucrative returns for service providers."

One of the first 3.6 Mbps HSDPA solutions to sample, the X455 provides a flexible and scalable platform as network technology evolves from GPRS/EDGE to W-CDMA and HSDPA. The X455 is a two-chip solution that provides complete digital and analog baseband functionality, ensuring high-bandwidth connectivity for end users throughout the stages of HSDPA roll-out. The solution simultaneously supports Release 5 Category 6 (3.6 Mbps) downlink, W- CDMA uplink and downlink (384 Kbps), as well as voice services for the highest broadband cellular performance available today.

While competing HSDPA solutions require costly and time-consuming hardware spins to cope with evolving standards and new features, the X455's programmable ModemArt(TM) engine enables rapid implementation of technical updates using software and firmware. This capability allows handset and PC card makers to quickly update and validate HSDPA designs, significantly reducing deployment risks as well as cycle time for interoperability testing and certification by up to six months.

The X455's software application programming interface leverages Agere's proven, dual-mode protocol software stack, deployed in more than 100 million phones operating over 70 networks worldwide, as well as the company's OptiVerse(TM) software frameworks. These robust and flexible frameworks enable PC card and handset designers to quickly extend their existing offerings to include HSDPA.

In addition, the X455 builds on Agere's strategy of offering early-to- market communications engines that deliver new network technologies in line with the market ramp. The company plans to deploy future HSDPA offerings based on its Vision(TM) architecture that further optimize system size and cost. Agere also will extend the data capabilities by enabling even higher performance services, including Category 8 (7.2 Mbps HSDPA), Category 5 (2 Mbps HSUPA) and Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS).

Agere expects to be in volume production with the X455 in the second half of 2006.

About Agere's Mobile Handset Chipset Solutions

Agere offers a full portfolio of 3G and 2.5G/EDGE solutions based on its Sceptre(R) and Vision(TM) mobile handset architectures. Agere's current 3G offering combines W-CDMA and EDGE technology in an integrated chipset and software solution for mass market mobile products that enables seamless handovers between 3G and 2.5G/EDGE networks. Its EDGE offerings are some of the industry's most integrated Class 12 capable chipsets providing a range of advanced multimedia features. Agere completes its chipset solutions by combining them with its OptiVerse software frameworks, which are critical for easing development and enabling time-to-market benefits for designers. Agere's solutions are optimized for the size and low power consumption that consumers expect for mobile devices.

About Agere Systems

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 top manufacturers of consumer electronics, communications and computing equipment. Agere's products connect people to information and entertainment at home, at work and on the road -- enabling the connected lifestyle.

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 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.

* GSA Report -Jan. 2006.

Agere, Agere Systems, the Agere Systems logo and Sceptre are registered trademarks, and ModemArt, Vision and OptiVerse are trademarks of Agere Systems Inc.

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

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