[hsflinux-announce] Linuxant to pursue development of Linux drivers for Conexant chipsets

[Marc Boucher]

[this is very exciting and positive news for the project, with
 more to come -Marc]

LINUXANT TO PURSUE DEVELOPMENT OF LINUX DRIVERS FOR CONEXANT CHIPSETS

MONTREAL, QC Apr. 16, 2003 - Linuxant inc., a world-class supplier of 
consulting, software development and professional support services is 
announcing today that it has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with 
Conexant Systems, Inc. to make enhanced drivers available to the Linux 
community.
	
Linuxant has licensed core modem and ADSL technologies from Conexant and 
intends to invest significant resources to perfect and extend the pioneering 
softmodem driver development work started by Conexant and Linux kernel 
developer Marc Boucher.

"The overwhelming demand for Linux drivers has outgrown the scope of Marc's 
initial experimental project and we are now delighted to see Linuxant taking 
it to the next level", said Zeev Collin, Vice-President, Conexant PCD.
 
"We are thrilled to be at the cornerstone of providing Linux users with high 
quality drivers for Conexant's ubiquitous chipsets", said Marc Boucher, 
founder and President of Linuxant. "Support for softmodems, sometimes 
referred to as 'winmodems' has traditionally been lacking in the open-source 
Linux operating-system, due to the proprietary aspects of the technology. 
Our goal is to bring it on par with commercial platforms, while respecting 
the nature of Linux and the interests of all parties involved".

Advanced features such as V.92, FAX and other functionality currently 
missing will be added to enhanced versions of the HSF (softmodem) and
HCF (controllerless) drivers, to become available to millions of Linux users
in the near future.

Companies will also be able to take advantage of Linuxant's professional 
support, development, and customization services.

For more information, please go to http://www.linuxant.com 	


About Linuxant
Linuxant is a world-class supplier of consulting, software development and 
professional support services. Linuxant works closely with leading vendors 
and OEMs of semiconductor, PC, embedded and communication/wireless products, 
as well as with companies in other industries, providing technological 
expertise and solutions to maximize the potential of Linux and open-source. 
Additionally, Linuxant develops and distributes specialized system software, 
such as device drivers for specific applications.

About Conexant
Conexant Systems, Inc., a worldwide leader in semiconductor system solutions 
for communications applications, leverages its expertise in mixed-signal 
processing to deliver integrated systems and semiconductor products through 
two separate businesses. The Broadband Communications business develops and 
delivers integrated solutions that enable digital entertainment and 
information networks for the home and small office. Mindspeed Technologies, 
the company's Internet infrastructure business, designs, develops and sells 
a complete portfolio of semiconductor networking solutions that facilitate 
the aggregation, transmission and switching of data, video and voice from 
the edge of the Internet to linked metropolitan area networks. Conexant is 
headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif. To learn more, visit www.conexant.com 
or www.mindspeed.com.