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STMicroelectronics Samples World's Most Advanced Smart Card Chip Incorporating NCTI Technology
Monday November 24, 11:21 am ET


WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 2003--NCT Group, Inc. (OTCBB: NCTI - News) today announced that its Java® chip technology licensed to STMicroelectronics on a royalty-bearing basis is now being sampled by STMicroelectronics to key customers. The ST22FJ1M chip, an advanced 32-bit smart card processor with 1mByte of embedded Flash memory, opens up a host of new market opportunities in the Mobile, Pay TV, IT security and Identification markets.
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The ST22FJ1M adds Page Flash and Standard Flash memory to ST's proven 32-bit SmartJ(TM) platform. The device offers a large (768Kbytes) User Flash memory for storing program code and 256Kbytes of Page Flash memory, which replaces the traditional EEPROM. A Flash Loader enables application code to be loaded or updated, while an additional 128Kbytes of User ROM is available to hold fixed routine libraries. Storing application code in Flash rather than Read-Only Memory (ROM) greatly increases the flexibility of the card by allowing personalization of generic products, software upgrades and post-issuance downloads.

Page Flash is a proprietary ST derivative of Standard Flash technology that offers the same fast programming time as Standard Flash but also allows individual data words (32-bits) to be erased in a few milliseconds and rewritten more than 100K times, thereby providing all the functional benefits of traditional EEPROM in a future-proof technology. The two types of Flash memory can be mixed on the same silicon chip at no additional cost and without any modification to the standard Flash manufacturing process.

The ST22FJ1M large memory capacity, unique combination of page and standard flash, and its high powered Java Card(TM) accelerated SmartJ(TM) core will enable end users to fully appreciate the advantages of full feature 3G/4G communications, whilst telecom operators will finally be able to have the Java/memory combination to provide a host of new customer orientated services. Other applications areas include high-end Pay TV solutions, embedded IT security and high-end ID solutions.

The technology bricks used to develop the ST22FJ1M were the fruit of the EsP@ss-is A302 MEDEA+ project, a leading industry-driven pan-European smart card project for advanced cooperative R&D.

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 www.st.com.

About NCT Group, Inc.

NCT Group, Inc. is a publicly-traded technology development company with operating subsidiaries in communications and media. NCTI's communications subsidiaries include Artera Group, Inc., a provider of breakthrough Artera Turbo(TM) "last mile" Internet acceleration and optimization technology and services for the residential, small and medium business and enterprise markets, and Pro Tech Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: PCTU - News), a developer and marketer of headsets and proprietary technology to call centers. NCTI's media subsidiary, Distributed Media Corporation, delivers place-based Sight & Sound® microbroadcasting systems to out-of-home venues, offering advertisers exciting targeting opportunities. For more information visit www.nctgroupinc.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release comprise forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 (the "Act"), which became law in December 1995. In order to obtain the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Act for any such forward-looking statements, NCTI wishes to caution investors and prospective investors about significant factors, which among others, have in some cases affected NCTI's actual results and are in the future likely to affect NCTI's actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Investors and prospective investors should read this press release in conjunction with NCTI's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available online in the EDGAR database at http://www.sec.gov.



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Contact:
NCT Group, Inc.
Joanna Lipper, 203-226-4447, ext. 3506
203-226-3123 (fax)
[e-mail]



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Source: NCT Group, Inc.