Wipro Technologies licenses its Wireless LAN IPs to STMicroelectronics

Wipro Technologies, the global IT services division of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) and a leading provider of technology solutions for the wireless connectivity market, today announced the licensing of its multi-mode 802.11 MAC and BB IP to STMicroelectronics.

Wipro licensed its Wireless LAN IPs to STMicroelectronics through Answer Systems, its IP distributor in Europe. STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. ‘The licensing of our 802.11 IPs to STMicroelectronics is a significant moment in our 802.11 IP program. ST’s confidence in Wipro’s IPs reinforces our belief that we have the most robust and feature rich Wireless LAN IPs in the market,’ said Ramesh Emani, the Chief Executive of the Embedded and Product Engineering Solutions at Wipro.

STMicroelectronics selected its Wireless LAN IP partner after a thorough evaluation during which Wipro emerged as a preferred choice. The optimum hardware software partitioning of Wipro’s 802.11 MAC provided ST with the required flexibility they needed in their design. Wipro’s 802.11 Baseband has an extremely low gate count and power consumption value which will allow ST to get a smaller and low power consuming chip. Apart from licensing the 802.11 IPs to ST, Wipro and Answer Systems will also provide them with extensive support for the IPs.

Elaborating further, Uday Ramachandran, the Group Head of the Semiconductor IP Division of Wipro, says, ‘We are proud to be the technology partners of STMicroelectronics. Our expertise in the Wireless LAN technology will accelerate ST’s time to market for their next generation Wireless chips.’

Wireless LAN is a standard for wireless Internet access being deployed in airports, enterprises and homes. Wireless LAN is truly revolutionizing the Internet access around the world as can be seen in the unprecedented rate at which this market is growing.

Wipro has a comprehensive suite of 802.11 IPs consisting of tri mode 802.11 a/b/g MAC, 802.11a Baseband, 802.11b Baseband and 802.11g Baseband. Wipro’s 802.11 IPs have been licensed by various customers who have incorporated them in their final products. Wipro’s portfolio of 802.11 IPs is supported by a vast spectrum of VLSI and System design as well as embedded software expertise that allows Wipro to offer customers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution.

About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2002, the Company’s net revenues were $6.32 billion and net earnings were $429.4 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.

About Wipro Limited
Wipro Limited is the first PCMM Level 5 and SEI CMM Level 5 certified IT Services Company globally. Wipro provides comprehensive IT solutions and services, including systems integration, Information Systems outsourcing, package implementation, software application development and maintenance, and research and development services to corporations globally.

In the Indian market, Wipro is a leader in providing IT solutions and services for the corporate segment in India offering system integration, network integration, software solutions and IT services. Wipro also has profitable presence in niche market segments of consumer products and lighting. In the Asia Pacific and Middle East markets, Wipro provides IT solutions and services for global corporations.

Wipro's ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and its equity shares are listed in India on the Stock exchange - Mumbai, and the National Stock Exchange, among others. For more information, please visit our website at www.wipro.com, www.wiprocorporate.com and www.wipro.co.in

Forward-looking and cautionary statements
Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Wipro has made strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Wipro may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. Wipro does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company.