Conexant Chip Unites Connection Choices

Conexant Systems Inc. said Monday that it has developed the first set of communications chips that will combine four connection alternatives into one package for personal computers used in homes.

The new product consists of an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, 56k modem, home telephone line networking and Ethernet-ready functionality. It can support any combination of the functions at the same time, which will allow users to share access easily with others at home or work.

The chip sets start at $49 each and could make broadband--high-speed--access more easily available and affordable, said industry analyst Mike Wolf in a statement released by Conexant. The home networking market will reach $5.7 billion by 2004, according to Wolf, a senior analyst with Cahners In-Stat Group.