Cisco, Intel Enter into Flash Memory Purchasing Agreement for Communications Technologies

SANTA CLARA, Calif, Feb. 5, 2001 -- Intel Corporation today announced it will provide Cisco Systems high-performance flash memory for a variety of Cisco communications technologies, including cable modems, desktop switches and low-end routers.

The agreement between Cisco, a leading vendor of communications technologies, and Intel, the industry leader in flash memory, features a three-year commitment by Cisco to purchase Intel's high-density flash memory devices, including advanced Intel® StrataFlash™ memory technologies.

"This long-term agreement with Cisco reflects Intel's broadening reach into the communications sector, as we continue to serve the industry as a leading building block supplier to the Internet economy," said Curt Nichols, vice president and general manager of Intel's Flash Products Group.

The agreement to supply high-density flash memory of 32Mb and higher is representative of Intel's strategic relationship with Cisco. Flash is one of several key communications technologies that Intel provides Cisco.

First introduced by Intel in 1988, flash memories today are found in thousands of common products, including mobile phones, MP3 music players, handheld voice recorders and tape-less answering machines, in addition to such industrial products as network routers and cockpit voice recorders.

In April, Intel introduced its first flash chips produced on 0.18-micron lithography, enabling the company to nearly double the number of chips produced on each wafer. By the end of 2000, Intel was producing 0.18-micron flash memories in Santa Clara, Oregon and New Mexico, with plans for a dedicated flash facility in Colorado to come online in 2001. Intel plans to produce four times as many flash megabytes in 2001 as in 1999.

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