October 31, 2001
TIM First to Launch Ztango's Downloadable Ring Tones Via Motorola Phone Ztango, Inc., a leading wireless entertainment applications provider, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced today that they have signed an agreement to begin offering Ztango's unique, one- of-a-kind ring tones, screen savers and graphics to consumers using Motorola's wireless phone. TIM (Telecom Italia Group), one of the largest network operators in Europe, is the first to launch the new service and is initially making downloadable ring tones available to its customers in Italy.
TIM's customers now have the ability to easily research and download a variety of high-quality pop, rock, dance, classical, television or movie melodies directly to a Motorola wireless phone. Consumers can access and download the new tunes from i- TIM's website and via a WAP mobile phone from the i-TIM WAP Portal, utilizing the Internet browser within the phone or by having one of the ring tones sent directly to a Motorola phone via Short Message Service, also known as an SMS message.
As part of the new relationship, Ztango will provide technical development and marketing expertise for the development and implementation of advanced wireless content which is compatible with Motorola's efforts in Short Messaging Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) and Multi-Media Services (MMS). The companies are working together to ensure that the new services comply with the GSM Association's recently introduced M-Services Guidelines.
EMS represents the evolution of SMS. Many consumers utilize SMS today to send simple 150 character, text-based messages via a wireless phone. A skyrocketing number of consumers are driving the text-messaging trend with more than 20 billion SMS text messages sent each month worldwide.
As technology advances, EMS and MMS will be introduced in the wireless market, providing consumers with the ability to access highly customizable and downloadable graphics, music, video, games, ring tones and screen savers.
Motorola and Ztango will provide both audio and graphical downloadables to existing and future Motorola mobile devices across the spectrum of wireless protocols. Motorola and Ztango expect to begin offering advanced EMS content -- like screen savers or wallpaper -- by the end of the year.
"We look forward to working with Ztango to interface their downloadable services and content with our multimedia messaging services and infotainment platform," said Janiece Webb, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Motorola's Internet Software and Content Group. "Building relationships like this will help Motorola and its customers get to market even faster with fun, truly useful services that active people desire."
"Motorola is investing heavily in ways in which consumers can personalize and enhance their experiences with a wireless phone as well as its creative service platforms. By working together with Ztango, we have the ability to provide personalized content both today and in the future as technology evolves," said Joe Coletta, vice president of Application Development for Motorola's Personal Communications Sector. "Motorola believes downloadable content will provide network operators with a unique way to differentiate their services while creating additional revenue streams. Our research also indicates that consumers will place great value in the ability to personalize a wireless device with compelling, relevant content like a screen savers or graphics."
"TIM has chosen the offer of Ztango -- commented Federico Lenzi TIM's Director of Marketing speaking about the agreement -- because it provides an all-round solution. Ztango not only offers ring tones and images but also a tried and tested platform for the latest generation of mobile networks. The use of Motorola cellular phones enriches and supplements the offer of TIM's premium services -- SMS as well as WAP. TIM is working to make content available for its EMS and MMS services -- within M-Services -- so that they can be used by our customers before year end."
"The Ztango and Motorola relationship offers an immediate, positive effect on the wireless network operators' incremental revenue from Value Added Services. We look forward to working with Motorola on the rollout of EMS and MMS content offerings over the coming months," Said Vernon C. Poyner Chief Executive Officer, Ztango, Inc.
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