More great news off the wires!! Recent negative rumors about Brite/Cellnet appear to have been a flop from reality.
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 1998--Brite Voice Systems (NASDAQ:BVSI - news) has been awarded
an initial license to help Cellnet, one of the world's largest and most successful mobile communications companies, provide
an advanced digital pre-pay package for the UK market. The new service, to be launched by Cellnet in mid-July, will be
called Easylife. Brite will operate the Easylife system as a managed service and will receive a portion of the gross revenue
generated by the service.
Cellnet Easylife will utilize technology co-developed by Philips Consumer Communications and Brite in conjunction with
Cellnet. Easylife is the only pre-pay package which automatically tells the user how much credit they have left on their
mobile phone, as well as the only digital pre-pay technology that will allow users to make calls when travelling abroad.
Easylife is the first pre-pay package to enable users to make calls to the UK from the 77 countries with whom Cellnet has
roaming agreements. Customers can also receive calls while traveling in any of these countries. Easylife's superior cost
management capabilities means that users can monitor call charges and remaining credit, from wherever they are calling.
This unique feature, which is displayed on the handset, works even when roaming internationally.
''Brite's experience in implementing pre-paid services worldwide will help ensure the successful launch of the Cellnet
Easylife,'' stated Ray Naeini, Senior Vice President for Brite Voice Systems. ''Additionally, we are pleased to expand our
long-term relationship with Cellnet as they continue to deliver unique, innovative services to their customers.''
About Brite Voice Systems
Brite is a world leader in providing enhanced telecommunications systems and interactive information systems. Brite's
products include prepaid and enhanced calling card systems for wireless and wireline communications companies, and
IVR-CTI for businesses and organizations. The company also provides managed service capabilities for these products as
well as telecommunications management services. Brite's world headquarters are located in Heathrow, Florida, a suburb of
Orlando, and has offices worldwide. Contact Brite at 1-800-SEE-BRITE, or visit the web site at www.brite.com.
Brite is certified ISO 9001/TickIT, a globally accepted quality management recognition. Brite's certification includes the
design, development, manufacture, installation and support of computer-based voice and multimedia systems. The
certification also includes the company's associated managed services, information services and training services.
About Philips Consumer Communications
Philips Consumer Communications, a Lucent Technologies and Royal Philips Electronics venture, designs, manufactures
and markets a complete range of personal communications products including digital and analogue cellular and cordless
phones, corded phones, answering machines, screen phones and pagers. The union of the two businesses has created a
company that is the world leader in corded and cordless phones and answering machines. The partnership was formed on
October 1, 1997, with 60 per cent interest in the venture held by Philips Electronics and 40 per cent held by Lucent
Technologies. For more information, visit our web site: philipsconsumer.com
About Cellnet
Cellnet is one of the world's biggest mobile phone success stories. The company was formed by British
Telecommunications PLC (NYSE:BTY - news; BT) and Securicor Group PLC, and was granted a licence to become a
mobile communications network operator in 1983. BT is the majority shareholder with a 60 percent stake.
Its network service was launched in January 1985. Today, over 3 million customers are connected to Cellnet, putting it into
the top 10 of the largest cellular operators in the world.
There are currently over 8.5 million mobile phone users in the UK. Growth forecasts predict a market of between 11 and 12
million customers in the UK by the year 2000. Additionally, forecasts predict that the current number of mobile phone users
in the world will rise from 230 million to 500 million by the year 2001.
Cellnet has already invested (pound)1.5 billion in building its UK network; a network that typically handles around 10
million calls every day. By the year 2001 Cellnet will have invested a further (pound)1 billion in new technology, services
and deeper coverage. This means that Cellnet is investing approximately (pound)1 million every working day to improve
network service.
Cellnet's digital service conforms to the international standard known as GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications), and offers customers the opportunity to use their mobile phone when travelling overseas.
Brite is a trademark of Brite Voice Systems, Inc. Other product and company names are used herein for identification
purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Certain statements within this news release may be considered ''forward-looking'' within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may include projections regarding future market
growth and are based upon the companies' current expectations and assumptions which are subject to unknown risks that
may cause the actual results to be materially different from such projections.
I apologize for the format in which this pasted.
Rob |
