Comverse Network Systems to Develop Mobile Unified Messaging
Applications for the Emerging GSM Smartphone Market
Will Augment CNS' Network-Based Platforms For Voice/Fax/Text Messaging, Pre-Paid Services,
One-Touch Call Return & Other Personal Communications Services
CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 1998-- Comverse Network Systems Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Comverse Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: CMVT - news), and the world's leading supplier of enhanced services platforms to
Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network operators with systems in more than 90 GSM networks, today
announced it is developing a new set of powerful and easy-to-use Mobile Unified Messaging applications for the emerging
GSM smartphone market.
Comverse's network-based enhanced services platforms support a wide range of revenue-generating services including voice
and fax messaging, text-based short message service center (SMSC), pre-paid services, one-touch call return, single number
service and other personal assistant and personal communications services.
The GSM smartphone-based Unified Messaging applications will give subscribers visual access via the Internet to a
network-based Unified Mailbox to allow retrieval of voice, fax and e-mail messages. This interface also streamlines
subscribers' access to specific messages by allowing them to ''jump'' to a desired message for immediate voice playback over
the phone, to return messages with a single press of a button, and to receive notifications of urgent new messages. Additionally,
faxes received can be directed to print at any fax machine, and e-mail can be displayed on the screen of the phone, or can be
''spoken'' over the phone line using Comverse Network Systems' text-to-speech technology. Comverse is developing its
smartphone-based Unified Messaging applications for its successful Access NP(R) and TRILOGUE(R) INfinity(TM)
enhanced services platforms, and intends to begin trial deployments this year.
Comverse Network Systems has already developed and demonstrated a Wireless Unified Messaging prototype using a phone
equipped with UP Browser(TM) technology from Unwired Planet Inc., for the U.S.-based Cellular Digital Packet Data
(CDPD) wireless data environment, demonstrating how Unified Messaging applications can increase the value and utility of
smartphones.
As standards evolve, Comverse Network Systems intends to work closely with leading handset manufacturers to ensure that
its GSM network operator customers will be able to deploy new enhanced services which leverage smartphone capabilities.
Comverse Network Systems intends to support standards-based implementations such as Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP) for smartphones. The WAP Forum aims to create a global wireless protocol specification that works across differing
wireless network technology types, for adoption by appropriate industry standards bodies. Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and
Unwired Planet established the Wireless Application Protocol Forum earlier this year.
''Early prototyping for the Wireless Unified Messaging application has used Handheld Device Makeup Language (HDML)
technology for Unwired Planet,'' said Stewart Hampton, senior business development manager at Comverse Network
Systems. ''The market for smartphones and for providing wireless data access is likely to develop around open international
standards such as WAP, and will be impacted by how quickly these standards are adopted by leading handset manufacturers.
The ultimate size of the market will be driven by consumer demand for applications such as Unified Messaging that are best
suited to fully leverage smartphones and the increasingly data-capable digital mobile networks.''
The market for smartphones is forecasted to grow to 8.8 million units shipped by 2001 (Source: IDC). Key smartphone
features are expected to include: large Graphical User Interface (GUI), Internet connectivity, combined voice/data capability,
and micro-browser capability. As the number of smartphones used in wireless networks increases over time, key application
areas identified to leverage these devices are: Unified Messaging, Control of Intelligent Network/Advanced Intelligent
Network (IN/AIN) Features, Information Services, and Personal Information Management (PIM) services.
About Comverse Network Systems Inc.
Comverse Network Systems Inc., based in Wakefield, Mass., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comverse Technology Inc.
(NASDAQ: CMVT), which is headquartered in Woodbury, N.Y. On January 14, 1998, Comverse Technology Inc. merged
with Boston Technology Inc.
Comverse Network Systems Inc. supplies innovative systems, software and services to wireless and wireline
telecommunications network operators including cellular, PCS, GSM, cable and other communications service providers. The
company's Access NP(R) and TRILOGUE(R) INfinity(TM) enhanced services platforms enable network operators to
provide voice messaging, unified multimedia Internet messaging, voice activated services, short text messaging, pre-paid and
other services to their customers. Comverse Network Systems is the worldwide enhanced services platform market leader
serving over 225 network operator customers in more than 65 countries. For additional information, you may visit Comverse
Network Systems' WEB site at comversens.com or Comverse Technology's WEB site at
comverse.com.
Visit Comverse Networks Systems at the GSM World Congress '98 exhibition, stand No. F5/F7.
Contact:
Comverse Technology, Inc.
Paul D. Baker, 516/677-7200
or
Comverse Network Systems, Inc.
Lynn Dacy, 781/246-9000 |
