Conexant's LANfinity Chipset Revolutionizes Home Networking and Broadband Connectivity

Strategic Insights -

Conexant's LANfinity solution has been selected by Compaq to deliver multifunction home networking and broadband connectivity in the new Compaq EZ2700 PC. This innovative solution combines V.90 dial-up modem, home phoneline networking, and Ethernet connectivity on a single PCI card, reducing telephone and service provider bills, and eliminating conflicts between applications using the same phone line or cable link.

Key Takeaways:

  • Conexant's LANfinity solution is the first to enable the development of a single peripheral component interconnect (PCI) card that combines V.90 dial-up modem and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connectivity, plus home phoneline networking in support of Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA) standards.
  • The combination of multifunction networking and broadband connectivity will reduce telephone and service provider bills by enabling simultaneous shared Internet access over a single 56Kbps dial-modem link or higher-speed broadband pipe into the home.
  • According to Cahners In-Stat Group, more than 20 million U.S. households will have multiple PCs this year alone, and the U.S. home networking marketplace will grow to $1.4 billion by 2003, with the vast majority based on products using HomePNA specifications.
  • Conexant is a founding member of the more-than-100-member HomePNA organization, an association of industry-leading companies working together to ensure adoption of a single, unified phoneline networking standard.
  • The LANfinity solution will enable users to share files, printers, scanners, and storage devices among multiple family members, and is likely to spawn new capabilities for multi-system data backup and networked gaming.
  • Conexant's technology provides the foundation for consumers to enjoy the benefits of home networking technology right out of the box.
  • Mark A. Carpenter, director, new desktop product marketing at Compaq, states that the LANfinity solution combines robust, industry-standard communications functionality with the flexibility needed to support new features such as linking to corporate LANs, external cable modems, or digital subscriber line modem technology.

Statistics:

  • 20 million U.S. households will have multiple PCs this year (Cahners In-Stat Group).
  • The U.S. home networking marketplace will grow to $1.4 billion by 2003 (Cahners In-Stat Group).
  • Over 100 companies are members of the HomePNA organization (HomePNA organization).

Sources:

  • Business Editors and High-Tech Writers CES 2000 NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2000
  • Compaq Computer Corp.
  • Conexant Systems Inc.
  • Cahners In-Stat Group
  • HomePNA organization