re: AWS on GSM/GPRS "Applications & Services" Plans
>> AT&T Wireless Moves Forward With Plans for GSM/GPRS and Other Services
Announces Relationships With Application Providers, Device Manufacturers And Systems Integrators
Las Vegas - CTIA
AT&T Wireless
Press Release
AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) continued laying the groundwork for offering GSM/GPRS services later this year, by announcing relationships that will provide new applications and services for a variety of devices.
At the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association show being held at the Sands Convention Center, AT&T Wireless announced it would work with Accenture, Compaq Computer, MDSI and Siebel Systems, Inc. to provide customers with a variety of advanced wireless services. The company also said it has entered into a letter of intent to work with Tellme Networks, Inc. to provide customers with a voice interface for accessing information.
"These companies recognize the flexibility and scalability of a GSM/GPRS network and have shown their support through their actions," said Rod Nelson, chief technology officer for AT&T Wireless. "We welcome the opportunity to work with these companies and invite others to join us now and as we continue to move forward with our network plans."
Deploying the GSM/GPRS network will offer the benefits of more advanced mobile data services beginning later this year, and supports the company's plan to begin deployment of UMTS, the 3G global standard, sometime in 2003, subject to the availability of network equipment and customer devices.
The company said since announcing its decision to deploy a GSM/GPRS network last November, over 100 companies -- including application providers, systems integrators and computer, PDA and phone manufacturers -- have announced GPRS products or services within their areas of expertise.
To increase the number of customer applications available for its GSM/GPRS network, AT&T Wireless will expand its existing Data Developers Program. The program, which already enables development of Circuit Digital Packet Data (CDPD) applications, will now allow developers to adapt current applications for use on the company's GSM/GPRS network.
The program provides application developers, current or future, with information about browser specifications, style guides, software development tools, and even advanced technology lab access. AT&T Wireless invites developers -- including companies with applications running on competitor's networks -- to join at attws.com.
Accenture
AT&T Wireless and Accenture, formerly known as Andersen Consulting, have signed a Letter of Intent to deliver enterprise customers a corporate wireless service based upon Accenture's Mobile Solutions Platform (MSP). The MSP is a multi-tiered platform consisting of a portfolio of services such as security control, personalization, navigation and related tools, all designed to facilitate access among an enterprise's legacy systems, applications, and mobile devices.
Compaq Computer
AT&T Wireless and Compaq will co-market wireless data solutions to enterprise customers throughout North America. Combining Compaq's innovative technology and telecommunication expertise with AT&T Wireless services and third party applications, enterprise customers will receive a total solution package. Compaq's innovative iPAQ Pocket PC and laptops, equipped with optional wireless communications capabilities, will provide the crucial mobile access link to users of enterprise data solutions marketed and served by AT&T Wireless.
MDSI
MDSI(R) has agreed to bundle AT&T Wireless' network services in connection with the sale of its Advantex(TM) ASP and eService Manager Mobile(SM) wireless workforce management products, and other wireless services hosted by MDSI. MDSI's Internet-based software solutions enable medium to small size service organizations to schedule, assign, dispatch, update, complete, and report on service work orders and the mobile workers who execute them, and empower those workers with reliable wireless links to enterprise or Internet applications. MDSI currently uses AT&T Wireless' CDPD network to deliver these products, as well as its enterprise Advantex application for large service providers, over wireless-enabled laptops and PDAs.
Siebel Systems, Inc.
AT&T Wireless and Siebel Systems announced a strategic alliance to jointly market and provide wireless access to Siebel eBusiness Applications via AT&T Wireless' GSM/GPRS network. Siebel eBusiness Application is an integrated family of Web-based sales, marketing and customer service applications that help organizations manage relationships with their customers.
Tellme Networks, Inc.
The letter of intent with Tellme Networks, Inc. focuses on a co-branded consumer voice service which would be available to all AT&T Wireless customers. This service would give customers direct, short-cut access to powerful and compelling services and content by speaking instead of "clicking." Combining the benefits of the Internet with advancements in voice recognition, the new voice service would easily let AT&T Wireless customers do much of what they want to on the Net by speaking into the phone and listening to the response. Customers would simply "speak out" to gather a wide range of information, and can then customize and personalize it to meet their individual needs -- from getting a taxi to checking stock quotes or sports scores, to wake up calls, airline information to horoscope predictions.
"Along with these relationships, we will soon be offering our consumer customers the ability to access information by simply speaking their request," said Nelson. "Providing a voice interface is an important component in the mix for offering access to information. This voice activated service is network agnostic, so customers can retrieve information now and as we move toward 3G."
Additional details are available from news releases issued today by some of the companies. <<
- Eric - |
