SMC Chooses Intersil's PRISM GT Chipset for Its 802.11g Products

Business Wire, Feb 25, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

IRVINE & MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2003

New Family of 802.11g Draft Wireless Networking Products

Feature Intersil Chips for Speed, Reliability and Compatibility

SMC Networks (www.smc.com), the company that takes the work out of networks with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for business and home, and Intersil Corp. (Nasdaq: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog and wireless networking solutions, today announced that SMC has integrated Intersil's PRISM GT(TM) Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) chipset in their new 802.11g wireless networking products. Shipping in March, SMC's first 802.11g products, the Barricade(TM) G 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router, the EZ Connect(TM) G 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless PCI Card and the EZ Connect(TM) G 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter, all incorporate the Intersil PRISM GT chipset.

"To produce quality products, SMC seeks out quality components. We chose the Intersil chipset for very basic reasons, the ones our customers value most: performance, efficiency, and reliability -- reliability of both the chipset and the partner," said Tom Rizol, SMC's vice president, sales and marketing. "Intersil's leading reputation in the WLAN chipset arena comes as a result of their reputation for quality and reliability. Those qualities, coupled with the high-performance, low power consuming properties of the PRISM GT made it the best choice for SMC's new line of 802.11g products."

"The integration of PRISM GT into SMC's line of wireless 802.11g networking products allows SMC to leverage our expertise with theirs," said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager of Intersil's Wireless Networking Product Group. "The PRISM GT solution is optimized not only for speed at the high 54Mbps data rate but also for the interoperability and compatibility with today's installed base of 802.11b. We are pleased to add SMC to the growing list of worldwide customers that have adopted the PRISM GT chipset as their WLAN technology of choice."

With data transfer rates five times that of standard 802.11b devices and backward compatibility with 802.11b, SMC's new draft 802.11g-compliant networking products offer the fastest wireless throughput possible in the 2.4GHz space. Fast enough to handle streaming video, multimedia and all other bandwidth-intensive applications, SMC's new "G" family of products provide instant, seamless high-speed network connection for wireless clients. Advanced management and security features put SMC's new 802.11g products ahead of the competition in quality and economy. And, SMC's best in the industry warranty confirms that this 802.11g solution is the best overall value. The first three in SMC's family of Intersil PRISM GT-powered 802.11g networking products, the Barricade G 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router, the EZ Connect G 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter and the EZ Connect G 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless PCI Card, are available in March, at MSRPs of $139.99, $79.99 and $89.99, respectively.

About SMC Networks

SMC takes the work out of networks, with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for businesses and homes. Leveraging its more than 30 years' market and technology experience with strong attention to end-user and reseller feedback, SMC Networks has set the standards for quality, reliability, ease-of-use, and affordability in network solutions and components. The company continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products that benefit from the combination of its strong internal R&D resources, global manufacturing resources and strategic relationships with technology innovators. From basic to leading-edge, SMC Networks' portfolio of products provides solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses, corporate workgroups, branch offices, and home and small office environments.

The company's commitment to providing unsurpassed service with a personal touch is backed up by limited lifetime warranties and 24/7 technical support for all of SMC's products. Headquartered in Irvine, SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries. For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800/SMC-4You (800/762-4968).

About Intersil

Intersil Corp. is a global semiconductor leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog and wireless networking solutions. Intersil's product portfolios address four fast growing markets -- flat panel displays, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable), power management and wireless networking. Intersil brings added customer value in providing complete silicon, software and reference design solutions to new products that enhance the computing experience for people wherever they live, work or travel. 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.