AOL Europe Announces "AOL Anywhere" Mobile Internet Strategy To Build On Record Growth
AOL Europe To Actively Participate in WAP Forum as It Prepares to Make SMS, WAP and GPRS Services Part of Successful Growth Strategies by the End of 2000
AOL Europe, Europe's leading interactive services provider, announced today afar-reaching "AOL Anywhere" mobile Internet strategy to extend its trademark ease-of-use and convenience to a range of next-generation WAP, SMS and GPRS wireless devices by later this year.
To maintain its leadership as an estimated one-third of Europeans access the Internet via mobile phones by 2004, AOL Europe announced a series of agreements to ensure its Mobile Portals are compatible with current SMS and WAP protocols and handsets, as well as next-generation General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). GPRS technology allows "always-on" service at up to ten timesthe speed of current mobile devices. The agreements include:
· Strategic partnerships with Nokia, Inc. and Ericsson for the development and trial of AOL Europe mobile services based on the partners' Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) solutions;
· A strategic alliance with RTS Wireless for trials of its WAP gateway, as well as SMS (Short Messaging Service) Alert Messaging and Mail by Phone usingRTS Wireless' Advantage® system;
· Active participation in the WAP Forum, the industry association that has developed the de-facto world standard for fast and easy delivery of information and telephony services on digital mobile phones and other wireless terminals. Participation in the WAP Forum further demonstrates the company's commitment to ensuring a comprehensive and compatible online service for mobile users.
Andreas Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer, AOL Europe said:
"AOL Europe's record growth over the last half year has reinforced its position as the leader in meeting the needs of a wide range consumer audiences. Going forward, our 'AOL Anywhere' strategy will help guarantee that AOL Europe also realizes the historic growth opportunity represented by the 'mobile Internet,' as new audiences in Europe are increasingly introducedto the interactive medium through next-generation mobile Internet phones and devices."
Schmidt added: "These technologies are here now, and we will move rapidly to offer AOL members, and other mobile users across Europe, the same commitment to quality, convenience and community they have enjoyed on the PC. By working with world-class providers like Ericsson, Nokia, RTS Wireless and others to develop SMS, WAP and high-speed, always-on GPRS services, we will offer content, services and features that capitalize on the strengths of emerging systems. AOL Europe will also make sure our mobile portals are available to the broadest possible audience, over the complete range of platforms, and carried across the full spectrum of providers."
Mobile Trials to Start Later This Month
AOL Europe agreed to unite its unmatched expertise in developing interactive content and services with Ericsson, Nokia and RTS Wireless in the developmentof leading WAP software technology solutions. AOL Europe will first test WAPfeatures such as mail, news, weather and quotes over the three companies' WAPgateway proxy servers. These trials will begin in the UK, Germany and Franceby end of February 2000.
The companies will also co-operate to ensure that AOL Europe's Mobile Portalsand associated technology infrastructure are compatible with Nokia's and Ericsson's future WAP technologies and specifications. In addition, each agreement provides for co-marketing and cross-promotion of AOL Europe's mobile products with those of Ericsson and Nokia, respectively.
AOL Europe also announced an agreement to leverage the products, services andexpertise of RTS Wireless to develop and test wireless text messaging services, including WAP services, SMS Alert Messaging, Mail by Phone and Content Alerts with the aim of launching the services during the calendar year.