InphoMatch Collaborates with VoiceStream Wireless to Further Inter-carrier Messaging
Carrier Joins SMS Leader's Growing Portfolio of Partners
CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 5, 2002--InphoMatch, Inc., the leading provider of inter-carrier messaging solutions for global wireless telecommunications operators, confirms that VoiceStream Wireless' (VoiceStream) recently introduced two-way text messaging service functions with the support of its InphoXchange Short Message Service (SMS) interoperability platform. VoiceStream (NASDAQ:VSTR - news) joins a growing list of domestic carriers, like AT&T Wireless (NYSE:AWE - news), that have selected the InphoMatch solution to manage their inter-carrier messaging traffic.
Until recently, SMS in the U.S. had been limited to messaging between users on the same wireless network. But, in teaming with InphoMatch, VoiceStream offers its subscribers the capability to exchange short text messages with subscribers on any other network, using only the recipient's mobile phone number. ``We've made this new service as easy to use as placing a call,'' said Robert Dotson, VoiceStream COO. ``Customers simply type a message on their phone and then address it to a ten digit wireless phone number.''
Just as industry experts anticipated, the carrier's January service launch has generated an exponential increase in inter-carrier messaging traffic across the InphoXchange platform, reminiscent of the text messaging phenomenon that has already occurred in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and Asia. ``(Now) the proliferation of text messaging in the U.S. is only limited by the carriers who have yet to commercially deploy inter-carrier functionality in their network, which would enable their customers to respond to, as well as receive, VoiceStream text messages,'' Dotson added.
InphoMatch president and CEO Colin Matthews reiterated the company's commitment to the success of text and data messaging, declaring ``Inter-carrier messaging is the inevitable next step for the current generation of wireless communications technology. But there's more to come in text-based mobile-to-mobile services. Expect InphoMatch and our carrier partners to be out in front.''
Ironically, although SMS was originally conceived as a paging system, users--notably teenagers and young adults--quickly adapted text messaging for their own objectives. As a consequence, SMS has become the fastest growing service in the wireless industry. Tapping a potential user population numbering upwards of 100 million, U.S. carriers can significantly enhance SMS revenue opportunities by supporting user adoption and messaging volume through targeted marketing efforts and payment options.
About InphoMatch
InphoMatch is the leading provider of inter-carrier messaging solutions for global wireless telecommunications operators. The company's flagship service, InphoXchange, enables U.S. carriers--for the first time--to offer their subscribers the capability to exchange short text messages with subscribers on any other network in the country. InphoMatch's patented technology eliminates the cross-carrier barrier for more than 700 million mobile devices on more than 400 wireless carriers worldwide.
Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, privately held InphoMatch has partnered with institutional investor Draper Atlantic Management Company, LLC. Delivering economic value to carriers and enterprises and convenience to consumers, InphoMatch sets the standard in messaging technology. For more information, please visit the company's Website at inphomatch.com.
About VoiceStream Wireless
Based in Bellevue, Washington, VoiceStream Wireless and its affiliates own licenses to provide service to over 97 percent of the U.S. population. VoiceStream's committed to providing the best value in wireless service through its GET MORE promise to provide customers with more minutes, more features, and more service than any other wireless provider in the markets they serve. VoiceStream uses and operates the globally dominant Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications technology platform. VoiceStream is a member of the T-Mobile International group, the mobile telecommunications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom (NYSE:DT - news). Through its subsidiaries and other investments, Deutsche Telekom today serves more than 62 million mobile telephony subscribers worldwide. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.voicestream.com.
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Contact:
InphoMatch, Inc., Chantilly
Mike Houghton, 703/799-7383
pr@inphomatch.com
or
VoiceStream Wireless
Kim Thompson, 425/378-4074
kim.thompson@voicestream.com |
