Packard Bell NEC, the World's No. 1 Selling Home Computer Manufacturer, Joins With U.S. Robotics, Texas Instruments to Introduce Breakthrough 56Kbps High-Speed Modem Technology

Packard Bell NEC is the second largest supplier of personal computers in the United States and the number-three supplier worldwide. The company is the number one supplier of home computers worldwide through its Packard Bell and NEC brands. Additionally, Packard Bell NEC is renowned for its technological innovations and for making the benefits of technology available and affordable to the greatest number of people. Packard Bell pioneered the retail channel, with the first fully configured PC and software solution, the first multimedia PC and the first real-world user interface to make it easier than ever before to use a PC. Its NEC brand has gained notoriety with a history of firsts in the mobile arena shipping the first TFT display, the first unique modular notebook and the first notebook equipped with Pentium processors with MMX technology. Building on the company's tradition, Packard Bell NEC expects to be the front runner in providing integrated 56Kbps modem technology to PC users.

With the new high-speed integrated modem and service from one of the more than 400 Internet Service Providers that are adopting x2 technology, Packard Bell and NEC PC buyers will be able to surf the Internet, download e-mail or the increasingly complex graphics, audio and video files found on the Internet in nearly half the time it took with earlier modem technology.

Additionally, with Texas Instruments Digital Signal Processing (DSP) implementation of U.S. Robotics' x2 technology in TI's TMS320x2 chipset, consumers who purchase Packard Bell and NEC brands will be able to upgrade their modems to faster modem speeds and evolving 56 Kbps industry standards.

"With the need for speed in today's Internet environment, Packard Bell NEC chose U.S. Robotics and Texas Instruments, two world class companies, to bring innovative, high-speed modem technology to its Packard Bell and NEC PC customers as quickly as possible," said Beny Alagem, chairman, CEO and president of Packard Bell NEC, Inc. "We will make an enhanced Internet experience available to the greatest number of people worldwide through our established leadership in the home PC marketplace," Alagem added.

U.S. Robotics, the world's leading provider of modems and remote access equipment, extensively field tested x2 and shipped its first x2 products on Feb. 24, 1997. It is the first company to market with 56Kbps modem technology. This gives Packard Bell NEC an edge in providing this high-speed modem technology well in advance of PC manufacturers who are dependent on other companies for their modem technology.

"We're very pleased to begin this new relationship with Packard Bell NEC who holds the leading share of the home PC market, and were looking forward to providing them the latest technology for their customers," said John McCartney, president and COO of U.S. Robotics. "With x2's widespread acceptance by more than 400 Internet service providers worldwide, representing more than 18 million subscribers, Packard Bell and NEC customers will have numerous options for Internet access at x2 speeds."

According to Richard Templeton, TI executive vice president and semiconductor group president, "The modems in Packard Bell and NEC systems will be based on TI's software-defined DSP, which provides flexibility and cost performance advantages over conventional modem chipsets. This technology protects the customers investment by allowing them to upgrade their modems with software to comply with evolving technological advances."

TI, a world leader in digital signal processing solutions has shipped more than 20 million modem chipsets equipped with the DSP software upgradeable solution since late 1995. Also, TI was the first to market with 33.6 Kbps modem chips and the first semiconductor manufacturer to deliver 56 Kbps modem capabilities on the same chip. This new DSP-based modem technology reflects TI's focus on digital signal processing solutions as the cornerstone in the company's strategic direction.

About U.S. Robotics
U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, LAN switching equipment, desktop/mobile client products and modems, telephony products and handheld organizers. U.S. Robotics products connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses, institutions and individuals. The company's fiscal 1996 sales were $1.98 billion.

About Texas Instruments
An industry pioneer and the worldwide leader in digital signal processing solutions, Texas Instruments celebrates the 15th anniversary of its first DSP in 1997. TI provides innovative DSP solutions to more than 20,000 customers worldwide in the computer, communications, consumer, automotive, military and industrial markets. TI was recognized by IEEE for technical excellence in the design and application of DSPs by receiving the 1996 IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition Award. TI offers a unique breadth of digital and mixed-signal products and technologies, hardware and software development tools, design information services and global support.

Texas Instruments Incorporated, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the world's foremost high-technology companies, with sales or manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries. TI products and services include semiconductors; software productivity tools; mobile computing products and consumer electronics products; electrical controls and metallurgical materials. For more information about Texas Instruments, visit www.ti.com on the Internet.

About Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
Packard Bell, a Packard Bell NEC company, is the worlds number one selling home computer manufacturer. Credited with having pioneered the mass marketing of PCs through the retail channel, Packard Bell brings innovative, affordable technology to the greatest number of homes in the world. Packard Bell was the first company to bundle CD-ROM drives and fully configured multimedia systems, the first to offer easy-to-use graphical user interfaces for the home market and the first to ship Pentium processors to the retail channel.

The company's NEC Computer Systems Division is a leading worldwide supplier of notebook and desktop computer systems and servers for the commercial and consumer markets. NEC serves the consumer desktop market with three product lines: Ready multimedia PCs for the home; Ready Office PCs for the work-at-home and small business market; and PowerPlayer, the ultimate gamer system. Each system is richly configured with the latest hardware features and software titles and is ready to use right from the box.

Based in Sacramento, Calif., Packard Bell NEC, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of desktop, notebook and mobile computers and network servers under the Packard Bell, NEC, Zenith Data Systems and ZDS Direct brands. The companys major manufacturing operations are in Sacramento; Fife, Washington; Angers, France; Sydney, Australia and Tel Aviv, Israel. For more information on Packard Bell products visit www.packardbell.com and on NEC products, contact www.NEC.com. on the World Wide Web.