LG TeleCom to Offer Rich Wireless Data Services in Korean Market With Handspring Visor
SEOUL, Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2001--
Handspring International SARL, GrandTech Korea Inc. and LG TeleCom Ltd. enter agreement to bring innovative wireless solutions to Korean enterprise customers and vertical markets
Handspring, GrandTech Korea and LG TeleCom today announced their intent to work together exclusively on innovative wireless data products and services based on Handspring's Springboard expansion platform for the Korean enterprise market. The wireless enterprise solutions will integrate Handspring's Visor family of handheld computers with LG TeleCom's wireless network. LG TeleCom will also work with CDMA module providers and systems integrators to provide a range of tailored applications for enterprise and mobile ASP providers. GrandTech, Handspring's value-added distributor in Korea, will provide the DioPen Korean language overlay solution created by Diotek, as well as provide warranty support and customer service for all Visor products.
"There are three key components needed to make wireless data in Korea a success -- a robust network, a great handheld device and a customer base that is ready for true mobile computing," stated Gyu -Seok Oh, Vice President of Marketing for LG Telecom, "Handspring's unique Springboard expansion platform has provided us with the opportunity to combine our services with the Visor family of products and create a new data experience for enterprise and vertical markets. To maximize the synergy from this strategic alliance and cultivate new business opportunities, we will strengthen and expand our partnership program with system integrators and information technology partners."
Wireless connectivity for the Visor will be enabled through a CDMA Springboard module, which will provide voice and data communications to customers, including browsing and messaging applications. Service is scheduled to be available later this year and LG TeleCom will provide customized solutions such as mobile sales force automation, CRM, ERP, field force management, and wireless stock trading services for specific corporate and vertical accounts along with various system integrator and information technology business partners.
William Holtzman, Vice President of International for Handspring, added, "The depth and expertise of the Korean developer community in micro-electronics combined with the aggressive and innovative approach of LG TeleCom have created a great environment for Handspring products. From the beginning we have believed that our products would be used for wireless data, it's a great opportunity to find a partner with the same vision."
About LG TeleCom
Established in July 1996, LG TeleCom succeeded in commercializing CDMA technology for the first time in the world and provided a nationwide PCS service in October 1997. Since 1999, the company has been offering an integrated wired and wireless Internet service, which can be accessed by a mobile phone, the first of its kind in Korea and established itself as a premiere company in wireless Internet and data service businesses. The number of total subscribers at the end of June 2001 is 4.4 million. The company is also focusing its efforts on developing new technology and more services, such as wireless multimedia services, wide-band CDMA network and the upcoming IMT-2000 universal technology.
About GrandTech
Founded in 1991 and based in Taiwan, GrandTech is now a leading value-added and marketing services company in Asia. With its unique "Field of Interest," "Value System," and "Customer First" business philosophy, the company has devoted itself to providing complete solutions for computer graphics, image processing, multimedia, and Web development. Among its many offerings, GrandTech carries leading products from Handspring, Adobe, AutoDesk, Macromedia, Quark, FileMaker, Wacom, JVC, Umax, and Mcrite. It also publishes book titles that supplement the usage of the software applications. For multinational software vendors entering the emerging and dynamic Asian markets, GrandTech provides software localization services for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Korean. Currently GrandTech has more than 200 employees with branch offices in Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
About Handspring
Handspring is a leading innovator in the handheld computing industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets a family of expandable handheld computers for a broad range of markets and customers. Founded in 1998, Handspring's flagship technology is the Springboard platform that provides a simple and easy method for hardware and software expansion. Today Handspring sells its Visor line of handheld computers, along with a line of Springboard expansion modules and accessories, at Handspring.com and through select Internet and retail partners in Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, the Middle East and the United States.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
With regard to Handspring, Inc., this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including: continued consumer acceptance, adoption by the IT community, widespread adoption, development and distribution of Springboard modules, in particular Springboard modules utilizing CDMA technology; macro-economic developments; the appeal of Handspring's Visor products and CDMA Springboard modules to Korean consumers; and the rapid pace of technological change and competitive developments in the handheld computer industry. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described in Handspring's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Handspring assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
CONTACT:
Handspring, Inc.
Julie Staska, 650/230-5514
jstaska@handspring.com
or
GrandTech Korea, Inc.
Anica Cho, 82-2-761-0004
anica@grandtechkorea.co.kr
or
LG TeleCom Ltd.
Sae Bong Jang, 82-2-2005-7712
sbjang@lgtel.co.kr
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA KOREA TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC
BW0208 SEP 05,2001
6:01 PACIFIC
9:01 EASTERN |
