ot somewhat, but interesting-
Openwave and Cisco form an alliance
January 31, 2001 12:30:00 PM ET
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan 31 (Reuters) - Communications software provider Openwave Systems Inc. (OPWV) and Internet equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) said on Wednesday they will build a system together that would allow consumers to check email, voicemail and fax via a single voice call.
The partnership enables both companies to offer its carrier customers a unified messaging system that can be introduced through a simple software upgrade of existing Cisco equipment.
"Clearly it's a good sign to see Openwave, which is the leader in the wireless data space, partnering with Cisco, which is clearly the leader in providing Internet networking," said Peter Friedland, analyst with WR Hambrecht & Co.
The companies said the new product would combine Openwave's unified communications software with Cisco's AS5300 Voice Gateway, a server that supports Internet Protocol-based voice communications as well as faxes.
Genie, the mobile Internet arm of British Telecommunications Plc has already expressed an interest in becoming the first customer.
Because there are only a handful of carriers that have commercially deployed unified messaging systems worldwide, Cisco and Openwave have plenty of opportunities to win customers, Friedland said.
Woodbury, N.Y.-based Comverse Technology Inc. (CMVT) is currently their biggest competitor.
Openwave shares were off $1 at $71 on Nasdaq in midday trade. |
