JAZZ SEMICONDUCTOR NAMED 2005 VENDOR OF THE YEAR BY MICRO LINEAR CORPORATION


NEWPORT BEACH, and SAN JOSE, Calif., January 18, 2006 -- Jazz Semiconductor, an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS process technologies, today announced that it has received the Vendor of the Year Award for 2005 from Micro Linear Corporation (NASDAQ: MLIN), a developer of integrated circuit (IC) solutions for the wireless communications market.

Micro Linear selected Jazz Semiconductor as Vendor of the Year for its industry expertise, advanced process technology and excellent customer service offered as a pure play specialty foundry. Micro Linear recognizes the company's commitment to providing modular, low cost, foundry process platforms that meet their time-to-market needs quickly and cost-effectively. Micro Linear has chosen Jazz as its specialty process partner for its RF integrated circuits (RFICs) for end markets including Personal Handyphone Systems (PHS) and 5.8GHz Digital Cordless Telephones (DCT) and continues to develop its partnership with Jazz as Micro Linear expands into other market segments.

"Jazz Semiconductor has consistently proven to be a valuable foundry partner, enabling on-time delivery of complex, innovative products," said Tim Richardson, president and CEO of Micro Linear. "The ability of Jazz to bring Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS to the mainstream foundry marketplace has enabled Micro Linear to enter new markets at aggressive price points, with higher performance than can be achieved with competing solutions. This award acknowledges the steady relationship Jazz has sustained with Micro Linear and reflects the reliable service and support Jazz has provided through the years."

"We are honored to be recognized by a valued partner such as Micro Linear," said Shu Li, president and CEO of Jazz Semiconductor. "This award is a tribute to our successful partnership and validates the trust and confidence Micro Linear has placed in Jazz as its foundry partner. It further reinforces our dedication and commitment to continue delivering quality manufacturing solutions and excellent customer service for advanced analog, RF, and high voltage processes and end markets."

About Jazz Semiconductor
Jazz Semiconductor is an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS process technologies, including High Voltage CMOS, SiGe BiCMOS and RFCMOS for the manufacture of highly integrated analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices. Jazz's executive offices and its U.S. wafer fabrication facilities are located in Newport Beach, California, and its Asian engineering, manufacturing, and sales support is located in Shanghai, China. Jazz has expanded its wafer capacity in China through manufacturing partnerships with Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation and Hua Hong NEC Electronics Co., Ltd. Contact Jazz Semiconductor at www.jazzsemi.com.

Jazz Company Contact
Jessica McNaughton
949/435-8086
jessica.mcnaughton@jazzsemi.com

Jazz Media Contact
Lauri Julian
949/715-3049
l.julian@earthlink.net

About Micro Linear
Micro Linear Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in wireless integrated circuits. In addition to its PHS products, the Company offers a full line of high data-rate ISM-band transceivers for consumer applications such as cordless phones, wireless speakers and headphones, game controllers, voice headsets and other electronic appliances. Micro Linear offers a uniquely broad line of transceivers that address the most popular unlicensed bands: 900MHz, 2.4GHz, and 5.8GHz. To simplify system design and decrease time-to-market, Micro Linear also offers starter kits and reference designs. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Micro Linear's products are available through its authorized representatives and distributors worldwide. More information on the company is available online at www.microlinear.com.

Micro Linear Press Contact
Kellie Nugent
Shelton Group Investor Relations
972/239-5119 x125
knugent@sheltongroup.com

Micro Linear Safe Harbor Statement
Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this press release, including, but not limited to Micro Linear's ability to enter new markets at aggressive price points, with higher performance by utilizing Jazz as its foundry, than can be achieved with competing solutions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements may be identified by use of terms such as "we believe" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; the level of product orders; new product announcements or introductions by competitors; the market's acceptance of the Company's products; and other factors that may cause the Company's business or operating results to fluctuate in the future. Additional risks related to Micro Linear are detailed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Micro Linear's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Statements included in this press release are based on information known to Micro Linear and Jazz as of the date of this release, and neither Micro Linear nor Jazz assumes any obligation to update information contained in this release.

Micro Linear™ and the Micro Linear logo are trademarks of Micro Linear Corporation. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Micro Linear Corporation 2006.