Fairchild Semiconductor announces Joint Technology relationship with Silicon Wireless
Patented RF wireless components designed for cellular and wireless base stations;
represents new market opportunity for Fairchild

Fairchild Semiconductor International, the global leader in multi-market semiconductors, has announced has made and an equity investment in and formed a technology relationship with North Carolina-based Silicon Wireless Corporation. The exclusive relationship will enable Fairchild to co-develop, manufacture and market RF (radio frequency) power semiconductors, representing a new and significant market opportunity for the company.

Fairchild is a leading player in the US$7 billion worldwide power transistor market, which is the fastest growing segment of the total discrete market. While Fairchild enjoys a leading position in the US$3 billion power MOSFET portion of this overall market, the Silicon Wireless investment will enable the company to enter the fastest growing segment of the power transistor market. RF power transistors are expected to grow close to 100 percent in 2000, and are estimated by the SIA (Semiconductor Industry Association) to represent a US$1.5 billion segment by 2001. This segment is driven mainly by growth in wireless base stations for cellular phones and local area networks.

"The wireless base station market is growing rapidly with estimates pointing to 5.3 million new base stations being deployed over the next three years," said Izak Bencuya, Fairchild's senior vice president and general manager of the Discrete Power and Signal Technologies division. "Fairchild is focused on continuing to broaden its delivery of new products through innovative technology. Our relationship with Silicon Wireless promises to extend our portfolio of new products that are in demand by growing markets."

Silicon Wireless was founded by Dr. B. Jayant Baliga, for commercialisation of his patented RF semiconductor technology for the wireless markets. Named "one of the eight heroes of the semiconductor revolution" by Scientific American, Dr. Baliga is an internationally recognised leader in power semiconductors. Dr. Baliga is the inventor of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), the author of 10 books, 550 scientific publications, and the recipient of more than 100 US patents.

"We look forward to working closely with Fairchild Semiconductor to capitalise on this exciting opportunity," said Dr. Baliga. "Our business model enables us to focus on creating the next generation of technology while working with industry leaders such as Fairchild to deliver solutions to the marketplace quickly and efficiently."

Fairchild will invest US$10 million in Silicon Wireless in a combination of cash, R&D and marketing services. Silicon Wireless will work directly with Fairchild's Discrete Power and Signal Technologies division. Fairchild will have exclusive rights to manufacture and sell semiconductor products developed in the relationship, subject to certain terms and conditions, while Silicon Wireless will manufacture and sell RF power amplifier modules based on its patented technology.

Silicon Wireless, www.silicon-wireless.com, was founded in June 2000, with its main office located on North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus, a unique research and advanced technology community. A regional office is located in San Diego, California. Silicon Wireless received its institutional venture capital funding through Centennial Venture Partners and the Longleaf Venture Fund, which are investment funds focused on providing early stage funding to commercialise technologies developed by North Carolina-based universities. North Carolina State University is also an equity holder of Silicon Wireless. Silicon Wireless has licensed pre-existing, patented technologies developed by Dr. Baliga at North Carolina State University and has also applied for a number of its own patents.

About Fairchild Semiconductor
Fairchild Semiconductor International NYSE: FCS is a global company solely focused on designing, manufacturing and marketing high performance semiconductors for multiple end market uses. Fairchild's multi-market components are used in computer, telecommunications, automotive, consumer and industrial applications. Supplying power, analog & mixed signal, interface, logic, and optoelectronics products, Fairchild is filling the gap in the global supply of building block semiconductors. The company is headquartered in South Portland, Maine, USA, with 10,000 employees worldwide. Additional manufacturing facilities are located in Utah, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, with regional sales offices throughout the world.

Issued by Always Communications on behalf of TechWorks Asia
Annie Ho
Tel: (852) 2855-7819
Fax: (852) 2817-1004
Annieh@agrapha-group.com

TechWorks Asia
Claire Walker/ Dr Gordon Wong
Tel: (852)2524-4956
Claire@techworksasia.com

Fairchild Semiconductor
Helen Wong
Tel: (852) 2722-8338
Helen.wong@fairchildsemi.com