OTTAWA -- Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (TSX:ZL) today expanded its market-leading VE880 VoicePort™ Series of VoIP-enabled devices, with a new chipset that allows manufacturers to meet power, performance and cost requirements for equipment supporting high-quality voice service over broadband networks.

Consuming 50 percent less power than competing devices, the dual channel VE8820 chipset is the industry's most efficient approach to enable voice-over-broadband applications. The chipset's extremely low power requirements help equipment manufacturers more easily comply with emerging "green" environmental standards, such as strict energy consumption limits for broadband equipment outlined in the European Code of Conduct. In addition, the VE8820 chipset's low power performance ensures uninterrupted voice service in battery-backed systems in the event of a power outage.

"Zarlink's voice telephony products address the unique concerns of both service providers and manufacturers," said Jacques Issa, Director of VoIP Marketing and Applications with Zarlink's Communication Products Group. "The VE8820 chipset's integrated remote line diagnostic capabilities allow service providers to slash operating costs, by centrally identifying and quickly resolving customer issues to minimize costly truck rolls. For manufacturers, compared with competing devices the highly integrated, low-power chipset helps reduce bill-of-material costs and eases the design of equipment that meets new environmental requirements."

Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE/Toronto: ZL)