Agere Systems Orinoco Wireless Products to Support Windows XP Operating System

Business Wire, June 29, 2001

Business Editors/Hi Tech Writers

ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 2001

Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A) today announced the availability of Windows(R) XP drivers for the ORiNOCO(TM) wireless networking product line.

The Windows XP operating system is expected to be released later this year. The drivers for ORiNOCO products are now available on the latest Windows XP beta CD.

The new drivers for ORiNOCO products also fully support the recently developed IEEE 802.1x security standard that provides authenticated network access and automatic distribution of encryption keys, two features not currently supported in a standard 802.11b, Wi-Fi(TM) wireless network. The 802.1x standard is expected to become part of the new 802.11i wireless networking security standard that is currently in development.

"We have long demonstrated our support for security and authentication with our Access Server 2000 product. Now we are extending that support by making drivers for Windows XP and 802.1x available for our customers," said Angela Champness, director of product and business management for ORiNOCO products at Agere Systems. "Support for 802.1x is an important step towards true standards compliance. Unlike some manufacturers who are implementing their own proprietary solutions over 802.1x, Agere Systems believes in industry standard technologies and products."

The Agere ORiNOCO drivers with 802.1x functionality have been successfully tested with other 802.1x compliant products being introduced to the market. The new drivers are available for the ORiNOCO product line and Agere's wireless LAN OEM customers.

Ease of installation is very important to end users and Microsoft's development of Windows XP with its zero configuration feature will make it much easier to install and set-up a wireless network. One-step installation has long been a goal for the wireless LAN community and Windows XP makes it possible. When a user plugs an ORiNOCO PC card or USB client radio into their PC, the built-in Windows XP software will automatically recognize the device and then load and configure the appropriate software and drivers for the user's network.

In addition, for users who require a higher level of security than provided by 802.1x, Agere Systems offers the ORiNOCO Access Server 2000 (AS-2000) that provides authenticated network access and per-user per-session two-way encryption, something that no other vendor provides today. In addition, unlike other enhanced security wireless LAN systems, the AS-2000 does not require a proprietary RADIUS server to provide the required authentication, authorization and accounting functions.

Agere Systems' Wireless Communications and Networking (WCN) business is a global leader in wireless local area network (WLAN) technology. It designs and sells ORiNOCO products through a network of OEM customers including personal computer makers such as Apple Computer, Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, Gateway Computer, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, and Toshiba Corp. Agere Systems also has established WLAN sales channels to service providers through Lucent Technologies Inc., to enterprise customers through Avaya Inc., and to end-users through several e-commerce sites and a vast array of networking technology resellers. The ORiNOCO line of products encompasses a full range of Wi-Fi certified indoor and outdoor WLAN products, as well as enhanced security products for public areas and security-conscious enterprises. More information about Agere Systems' ORiNOCO products is available at http://www.orinocowireless.com or at 1-866-ORiNOCO for callers within the United States and 610-712-8081 for international callers.

Agere Systems Inc., formerly the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies, is the world leader in semiconductors for communications applications. Lucent has announced it intends to spin off Agere Systems as an independent company. Agere Systems offers integrated optoelectronics and integrated circuits solutions to help customers reduce the time and expense of developing new communications equipment. It also provides wireless computer networking solutions through its ORiNOCO product line. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com.

ORiNOCO is a trademark of Agere Systems Inc.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.

Wi-Fi is a trademark of WECA.

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 those 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, completion of the distribution of Agere stock by Lucent Technologies Inc., price and product competition, keeping pace with technological change, dependence on new product development, reliance on major customers and suppliers, customer demand for our products and services, availability of manufacturing capacity, components and materials, control of costs and expenses, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the prospectus filed by Agere with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2001. 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.