To: Robert Rose who wrote (84634 ) 11/19/1999 1:59:00 PM From: Libbyt Respond to of 164684
AETH...information listed on SI " Aether Systems ticker AETH BUSINESS OVERVIEW We are a leading provider of wireless data services and systems enabling people to use wireless handheld devices for real-time data communications and transactions. We design, develop, sell and support these services using our engineering expertise, our software platform and our customer service and network operations center. Our initial focus is on the financial services industry, including online trading. We currently offer the Reuters MarketClip service for financial market price quotes, alerts and information and TradeRunner, a real-time wireless trading and financial information service offered to the online customers of Discover Brokerage. We are developing similar services for other major financial institutions, including Charles Schwab. We have agreed to acquire Mobeo, Inc., a leading provider of wireless foreign exchange information services. We are also targeting other industries, initially by licensing our Aether Intelligent Messaging software platform, known as AIM. Finally, OpenSky, our new venture with 3Com, will pursue the broader consumer and business mass market for wireless Internet access, e-mail and e-commerce transactions. The market for wireless data applications is relatively undeveloped and has been hindered by significant technological challenges, including incompatible devices and networks, slow data speeds and uncertain security. These complexities have given us the opportunity to establish a position as an early market leader in wireless data services. We have all the resources necessary to provide our customers with complete wireless data systems. We have a large, experienced development team, with 27 engineers who have worked an average of ten years in the wireless data field. We have developed the AIM software platform, which serves as a bridge to integrate diverse corporate in-house data systems with a wide variety of wireless carrier networks and end user devices. We operate our own high-security network operations center, which connects customer and other data to wireless networks, and maintain our own customer service center. We have also cultivated close relationships with major wireless network carriers, including AT&T Wireless Services, Bell Atlantic Mobile and BellSouth Wireless Data, and mobile equipment manufacturers such as 3Com, Ericsson and Novatel Wireless. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Growth of the Internet, Intranets and Extranets The Internet and businesses' internal data networks, or intranets, have emerged as global communications channels that allow users to share information and conduct real-time business electronically. Technology and communications research firm International Data Corporation, or IDC, estimates there were approximately 159 million users of the Internet at the end of 1998 and that this number of users will increase to 410 million by the end of 2002. IDC also estimates that in 1998 there were 31 million intranet users at 513,000 businesses and organizations. Businesses are also increasingly employing extranets, which allow them to communicate and conduct transactions electronically with their customers and suppliers. IDC estimates that the worldwide volume of commerce conducted over the Internet was $50.4 billion in 1998 and will grow to $1,300 billion in 2003. Growth of Mobile Communications Individuals are increasingly using mobile devices for convenience and enhanced productivity when away from their home or office. Dataquest, a technology and communications market research firm, estimates there were approximately 187 million digital wireless subscribers worldwide at the end of 1998 and that there will be 590 million by the end of 2002. Worldwide use of wireless telecommunications has grown rapidly as cellular, paging and PCS have become more widely available and affordable for both the business and mass consumer markets. Advances in technology, regulatory changes, the introduction of new service providers and price reductions have contributed to this growth." I agree that ASDS is not a CMRC.....when I mentioned CMRC, I mean't B2B company, and one that is doing well with a list of clients such as Toys R Us, and Sears. I'd love to see Lizzie's thoughts on this company! Libbyt