Microtune to Develop HD Radio Tuners for Automotive Market
DETROIT--Oct. 21, 2002--Microtune's RF front-end tuners will support iBiquity Digital's HD Radio technology, providing a key component to allow for digital audio
broadcasts and wireless data services to U.S. drivers
MICROTUNE(R), Inc. announced plans at this year's Convergence show in Detroit to develop high-quality, high-performance radio frequency (RF) front-end tuners for IBIQUITY DIGITAL Corporation's HD Radio(TM) technology for integration into automotive digital receiver products. Through a Joint Technology and Marketing Development Agreement, Microtune plans to work closely with iBiquity as Microtune designs tuners to allow for the reception of HD Radio technology. Microtune's tuners will support the rapidly increasing demand for next-generation car receivers with digital AM/FM and wireless data services for telematics applications.
Microtune is currently displaying HD Radio-capable RF front-end tuners in its booth (# 1342) at Convergence 2002, October 21-23, 2002 at the COBO Conference Center in Detroit, MI.
Microtune is a leading international RF-based silicon and systems supplier and a pioneer in the development of RF silicon technology. Among its target markets, Microtune provides automotive customers a suite of tuners, amplifiers and Bluetooth(TM) solutions that enable in-vehicle information, entertainment and wireless and hands-free communications. iBiquity Digital(TM) is the sole developer and licenser of HD Radio technology in the U.S., which is expected to transform today's analog radio to digital, enabling upgraded sound, crystal clear reception, on-demand interactive audio and new wireless data services.
Jeffrey Jury, senior vice president and Co-COO, iBiquity Digital Corporation stated, "We are pleased to be working with Microtune as it develops HD Radio-compatible tuner products for automaker receiver suppliers. With today's tech-savvy consumer demanding digital technology, Microtune's specialized RF technology is an important component in the deployment and commercialization of HD Radio technology for the automotive industry and its customers."
"Microtune is committed to providing forward-looking RF solutions for the automotive market, and digital radio is the next stage in the evolution of in-car audio and video entertainment," said Douglas J. Bartek, Chairman and CEO of Microtune. "By supporting iBiquity's HD Radio technology, we will supply our customers the enabling technology to deliver the highest possible audio quality to consumers, along with enhanced services that will add convenience to the driving experience."
ABOUT HD RADIO
HD Radio technology, iBiquity's in-band on-channel (IBOC) solution, enhances AM and FM broadcasts with digital signals that improve listening quality and allow broadcasters and automotive manufacturers the opportunity to provide value-added services, such as automaker provided information specific to the type of vehicle. Additionally, broadcasters can offer to consumers station information, song and artist identification, stock and news reports, local traffic and weather alerts and much more. Broadcasters plan to begin transmission of HD Radio signals starting in the 4th quarter of 2002 in 11 markets (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle).
ABOUT IBIQUITY DIGITAL CORPORATION
iBiquity Digital is the sole developer and licenser of HD Radio technology in the U.S., which will transform today's analog radio to digital, enabling radically upgraded sound and new wireless data services. The company's investors include 15 of the nation's top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and Viacom; leading financial institutions, such as J.P. Morgan Partners, Pequot Capital and J&W Seligman; and strategic partners Ford Motor Company, Harris, Lucent, Texas Instruments and Visteon. iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Detroit, MI, Redwood City, CA and Warren, NJ. For more information www.ibiquity.com.
ABOUT MICROTUNE
Microtune, Inc. is a leading silicon and systems company that designs, manufactures and markets radio frequency (RF)-based solutions for the global broadband communications, automotive electronics and wireless connectivity markets. Inventors of the MicroTuner(TM) single-chip broadband tuner, the Company offers a portfolio of advanced tuner, amplifier, transceiver and wireless products that enable the delivery of information and entertainment across new classes of consumer electronics devices. The Company currently holds 22 U.S. patents for its technology, with more than 50 applications pending approval that span its RF and wireless products, containing more than 2000 supporting claims. Founded in 1996, Microtune is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with key design, manufacturing and sales centers located around the world. The web site is www.microtune.com. Microtune is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the symbol TUNE.
MICROTUNE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those discussing the outcome and merits of the lawsuits, that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause such statements to differ materially from actual future events or results. Such forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "plan," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "could," "would," "anticipate," "may," or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements and other statements made elsewhere in this release are made in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors which could cause actual results to differ include the Company's ability to successfully prosecute, defend and win the lawsuits and the ability of the Company to recover the actual costs of the litigation, any of which may cause the Company's financial results to fluctuate. Readers are referred to the reports and documents filed by Microtune with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Form 10Q for each quarter and Form S-3 filed on August 17, 2001, as amended.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Microtune is a registered trademark and MicroTuner, MicroStreamer and VideoCaster are trademarks of Microtune, Inc. iBiquity Digital and HD Radio are trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corporation