Glenayre and China Unicom to Launch ReFLEX Technical Trial in China; Alliance Brings Glenayre's Wireless Two-Way Messaging Service to China
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Mar 20, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Glenayre Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: GEMS chart, msgs), a leading wireless solutions provider, today announced an agreement with China United Telecommunications Corporation (China Unicom) the largest worldwide paging operator, to conduct a ReFLEX technical trial over China's nationwide Flex Paging Network in Qingdao, Chengdu and Nanjing, China; paving the way for future commercial two-way wireless messaging services using Glenayre infrastructure equipment in these three cities.
With network trial and endorsement, Glenayre and China Unicom will offer two-way commercial service in the selected cities in the second quarter of 2001. These technology trials are required by the Ministry of Information & Industry and must be endorsed prior to the China government allocating the necessary radio frequency spectrum for commercial ReFLEX services. Glenayre and China Unicom are working to provide two-way paging services to the Chinese market in an effort to meet China's future wireless business needs.
"This approved trial provides the opportunity to work with China's leading wireless messaging provider to build two-way wireless services for potential subscribers in Qingdao, Chengdu and Nanjing which have a combined population of over 21 million," said Bill Edwards, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales for Glenayre. "China continues to be an international focus for Glenayre as our strategic alliances deliver solutions for the worldwide mobile community and as we move toward meeting our vision for a converged wireless, Unified Messaging and Internet world."
ReFLEX-based networks are wireless data networks that provide two-way interactive messaging between wireless devices and the Internet. Unlike other wireless networks, ReFLEX-based networks have broad nationwide coverage and superior in-building penetration as well as allow for ReFLEX-based devices to have long battery life to ensure that subscribers will receive their messages at any time, in almost any location.
About China Unicom:
China United Telecommunications Corporation, formed on July 19, 1994, is the only network operator in China that can provide comprehensive communications services including local, long distance, wireless, data, satellite and paging services. It has over 250 branch offices and more than 30,000 employees. During the next few years, it will focus on development in mobile communications, data communications, international communications and the build-out of quality, superior networks. By the year 2005, China Unicom's mobile phone subscribers will reach 80 million to 100 million; data communications subscribers will reach 20 million with a market share of 30%; long-distance IP telephone subscribers will reach a market share of 50%; and the paging subscribers will have an absolute advantageous position in the market.
About Glenayre:
For more than 35 years, Glenayre has developed and provided leading-edge personal communication systems for the global market. We are focused on delivering our Solutions for an @ctive World(TM) portfolio, leveraging core competencies in the converging sectors of wireless, the Internet and unified messaging. Our wireless messaging products and systems include one- and two-way wireless messaging infrastructure equipment; award-winning Always @ctive(TM) two-way messaging devices; an array of Enhanced Services Platform/Unified Messaging products featuring voice mail, fax messaging, voice-activated services, personal one-number services and debit/prepaid calling card platforms. Glenayre, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has 1,300 employees located in 14 countries with 2000 net sales exceeding $251 million. For more information on Glenayre, its products, and services, visit www.Glenayre.com .
Glenayre, the Glenayre logo, Solutions for an @ctive World, the Solutions for an @ctive World logo, and Always @ctive are trademarks of Glenayre Electronics, Inc.
ReFLEX is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.
Important Notice:
This news release contains statements that may be forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The statements may include projections regarding future revenues and earnings results, and are based upon the company's current forecasts, expectations and assumptions, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These results and uncertainties are discussed in the company's most recently filed Form 10-Q. These factors may include: dependence on new product development; availability of manufacturing components and materials; control of costs and expenses; potential product mix changes which affect the company's overall profit margin; potential decline in the paging infrastructure market; effective convergence of technologies; potential market changes resulting from rapid technological advances; growth of two-way interactive wireless messaging market; competition; variability of quarterly results; volatility of the company's stock price; limits on protection of proprietary technologies; potential changes in government regulation; financing customer purchases for development of the two-way communications market; international business risks; and the continuation and expansion of strategic alliances and partnerships.
Source: Glenayre Technologies Inc.
Contact:
Elizabeth Dolcourt of Glenayre, 770-283-2569, or
elizabeth.dolcourt@glenayre.com
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 111723
URL: glenayre.com |
