Mexico's 2nd Largest Operator and Verizon Int'l Affiliate Iusacell Selects InfoSpace for WAP and SMS Wireless Data Services Launch
biz.yahoo.com
Launch to mark first deployment of InfoSpace two-way SMS solutions in
the Americas and include speech-enabled SMS alerts
BELLEVUE, Wash. & MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2002-- InfoSpace, Inc.
(Nasdaq:INSP - news), a provider of wireless and Internet software and application services, and
Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (BMV:CEL) (NYSE:CEL - news), Mexico's No. 2 wireless phone operator and
a subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - news), today announced the companies
have signed an agreement for InfoSpace to provide the underlying solutions for Iusacell's launch of
WAP and SMS-based wireless data services to its customers under the Iusacell brand.
Under the terms of the contract, InfoSpace will provide some of its most innovative wireless solutions
including two-way (mobile originated) SMS. InfoSpace's two-way SMS solutions have been deployed
by operators in Europe and Australia since as early as 1996 and make it fast and easy for users to
request specific information at any given moment with just a few taps on the keypad of their mobile
phone.
Until recently, most wireless networks North and South America were not capable of supporting
two-way SMS. Today, with two-way SMS becoming more widespread, InfoSpace is well positioned to
support carriers in the Americas by enabling them to provide compelling new services that fully
leverage the benefits of this technology.
The launch of Iusacell's mobile services will also mark the first deployment of InfoSpace's recently
announced speech-enabled SMS alerts. InfoSpace's speech-enabled alerts offer subscribers the
ability to create and modify SMS alerts quickly and easily using their natural voice. In addition to
making data services easier to provision and access, the technology extends the reach of
value-added services to include almost any device on a carrier's network, even those that are not
WAP or two-way SMS capable.
Other services to be provided include:
Messaging solutions offering subscribers full-featured email accessible via mobile devices or
any Internet-connected personal computer. The service also allows subscribers to access any
POP3-compliant Internet-based email account.
Productivity solutions including integrated address book, calendar and to-do list that can be
synchronized with Microsoft Outlook and accessed from mobile devices or any
Internet-enabled personal computer.
Personalized information enabling Iusacell subscribers to personalize a broad range of
Spanish-language information and access it from their mobile device or any Internet-connected personal computer.
``When looking for a partner to support our deployment of mobile Internet services, we wanted a company that could offer us proven technology, a broad range of compelling services and the ability to offer services to the widest possible range of devices and subscribers,'' said Peter H. Burrowes, president and general director of Iusacell. ``InfoSpace's solution not only came out ahead in each of these categories, but they have shown their ability to support us in the future as we make more advanced network technologies and more sophisticated devices available to our wireless subscribers.''
``Today's announcement is significant for several reasons. The launch of Iusacell's wireless data services will represent the first deployment of our Spanish language wireless solution outside the US and mark the first deployment anywhere of our speech-enabled SMS alerts,'' said Jan Claesson, executive vice president of wireless for InfoSpace. ``Our proven technology and innovative suite of wireless applications position us well to extend our solution to other leading carriers in North and South America and in countries around the world.''
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