NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNXT), a worldwide leader in semiconductor solutions for broadband communications and the digital home, today announced that it has teamed with Espial(R) and Tematic to deliver a complete platform for telecommunications operators looking to quickly deploy low-cost, high-performance set-top boxes (STBs) for IPTV networks. "IPTV" refers to the delivery of services such as multimedia and digital video over a broadband IP network. The optimized hardware and software platform enables operators to offer a powerful and customizable client IP STB that supports revenue-generating services such as video-on-demand (VoD) straight out of the box. The platform is based on Conexant's advanced video coding MPEG-4/H.264 coprocessor and standard definition host decoder, Espial Evo(TM) IPTV middleware and applications, and Tematic's IPTV software.

Espial, a leading provider of client applications and middleware for set-top boxes and consumer electronic devices, and Tematic, a key solutions provider for the digital TV and broadband industries, teamed to develop the pre-integrated IPTV client software stack. Tematic also provided development and integration services to support the deployment of this highly integrated platform.

"Time to market and cost are two of the most significant challenges facing telco TV operators today," said Jeff Crosby, vice president and general manager of Conexant's Broadband Media Processing business. "Our jointly developed platform directly addresses these issues, and provides telecommunications operators with a comprehensive solution that allows them to quickly and economically deploy IPTV services."

"With an innovative architecture designed for maximum performance and minimum footprint, Espial Evo will reduce operator time-to-service deployment and operational costs," said Amanda McKay, director of Strategic Alliances for Espial. "Within this tightly integrated client platform, Espial Evo will ensure that operators have Beyond Brandable(TM) capabilities for developing best-of-breed EPGs and applications. Espial Evo's complete and customizable feature set offers operators complete control in their ability to develop user interfaces that build strong relationships with their subscribers."

Conexant Systems Inc.

Espial Group Inc.

Tematic Ltd.