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Technology Stocks : Comverse Technology -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mark Ambrose who wrote (900)	11/1/1999 10:19:00 AM
From: Beltropolis Boy	Respond to of 1331

mark. here's the clif notes version of the starhome press release. -chris. ----- Comverse Technology launches subsidiary* NICKY BLACKBURN 10/20/1999 The Jerusalem Post Comverse Technology Inc., a US-Israeli maker of enhanced service platforms to wireless and wireline network operators, said it has formally launched a new Tel Aviv-based subsidiary called starhome. The new company, formed a year ago, is building a global Internet Protocol-based network that will allow wireless carriers to offer roaming customers anywhere in the world access to a wide range of enhanced data and communications services in their native language. "Starhome is the first organization to deliver global access to local services," said CEO Carmel Sofer. "This deployment marks a significant milestone for network operators." Sofer, who would not disclose how much money Comverse has invested in starhome, added that in the future the company will have the ability to reach some 100 million subscribers in Europe. To access the network, a user dials home or uses his home short code. The bill is then sent to the mobile account of the subscriber's home. Services on offer include message notification and retrieval, voice-mail, directory assistance, access to virtual private networks and corporate directory services, and information services. In the near future starhome will also offer users the chance to conduct e-commerce via the phone. In a report on the new development, analysts at Lehman Brothers called starhome a "major new growth initiative." The report points out that at present, in Europe alone, there are about 3.5 million users. This is up from last year's figure of 2.1 million. Star*home plans to begin operating its new system with some 15 to 20 operators by the end of the year and will deploy more than 100 gateways around the world by the end of next year. The company plans to generate revenue through traffic sharing with the operators who use the system. The company will rely heavily on Comverse Technologies' worldwide customer base of more than 200 wireless network operators. Kobi Alexander, the chairman, president, and CEO of Comverse, said that the new service will offer wireless network operators both increased air time and revenue.