Product Launch

Product Launch LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2003-- ARC International launches WLAN Solution ARC International plc, a leader in semiconductor and software technology licensing, today announces WLAN Now(TM), a complete intellectual property (IP) building block solution for System-on-Chip (SoC) based wireless Local Area Network (LAN) access point and client devices. WLAN Now is the latest application-specific extension for the ARC SoC development platform, and is fully optimized for communications and consumer products. WLAN Now includes the user-customizable ARCtangent microprocessor for maximum flexibility in wireless LAN device design, while reducing time-to-market and development costs. ARC's flexible, fully integrated SoC platform with WLAN Now peripheral extensions, allows developers to readily implement current 802.11 wireless specifications, custom specifications and future software upgrade functionality. By providing a highly integrated, unified development tool chain, wireless LAN developers can also reduce the number of IP suppliers and overall design risks. Mike Gulett, president and chief executive of ARC International plc, commented: "WLAN Now addresses the complex issues faced by system designers trying to add wireless LAN capability to their product lines. WLAN Now extends ARC's commitment to providing system designers with the necessary building blocks they need to quickly implement, synthesize and fine-tune a complex system design before committing to silicon. With the explosive market growth of WLAN, designers need the time-to-market and cost leverage that using the WLAN Now product offers." WLAN Now will be available in March 2003. About ARC International ARC International is the first company to offer integrated solutions for SoC design, in an effort to minimize design risk for customers developing next generation wireless, networking and consumer electronics products. In 1998, ARC introduced the industry's first user-customizable 32-bit RISC/DSP processor core. In early 2000, ARC became the first company to integrate the development tools, peripherals, RTOS and software that enabled the designer to get better design optimization and performance. ARC's approach of providing a single source for the major SoC building blocks reduces the number of IP suppliers, reduces cost, reduces the risk of system-on-chip design and reduces time-to-market. ARC's products include the ARCtangent(TM) user-customizable 32-bit RISC/DSP processor, the first USB 2.0 OTG high speed controller on the market and an 802.11 MAC and baseband multi-standard IP core. ARC International employs 200 people in research and development, sales and marketing offices across North America, Europe and Asia. Full details of the company's locations and other information are on the company's web site, www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE:ARK). Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, market acceptance of the ARC technology; fluctuations in and unpredictability of the Company's quarterly results; general economic and business conditions; regulatory policies adopted by governmental authorities; assumptions regarding the Company's future business strategy; changes in technology; competition; ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; risks associated with the Company's international operations; and other uncertainties that are discussed in the "Investment Considerations" section of the Company's listing particulars dated 28 September 2000 filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date such statement was first made ARC, the ARC logo, ARCompact, and ARCtangent are trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. Short Name: ARC Intl PLC Category Code: PRL Sequence Number: 00001636 Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20030119T170208+0000
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