Date: Wednesday, March 24 1999
Ericsson announces a cooperative agreement with US based Comverse Network Systems Inc. in which Comverse Network System's leading Unified Messaging Platform will be integrated with Ericsson's new WAP Gateway. The cooperation is aimed at developing and launching advanced unified messaging services based on the open Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standard.
Ericsson and Comverse Networks Systems recently signed a memorandum of understanding, wherein Comverse will be using Ericsson's WAP as enabling technology in the development of complete services for cellular operators in the framework of Comverse Enhanced Services Platform.
Beginning later this year, wireless network operators using Ericsson's WAP Gateway, will be able to offer next-generation enhancements, such as Internet access, to services based on Comverse's existing Unified Messaging Platform and Mobile Visual Mailbox capabilities.
The open Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a new protocol specification, defining a global standard for bringing Internet content and advanced services to cellular phones and other wireless terminals. Ericsson was one of the initiators of WAP through the work done at WAP Forum.
Ericsson so far offers two system products based on WAP: WAP Gateway, a network node for wireless operators, providing direct connection between the mobile network and Internet servers, and WAP-IDE (Integrated Developer's Environment), which allows the development of mass market access to Internet services from small-screen wireless phones. WAP-IDE can be downloaded free of charge from http://mobileinternet.ericsson.se.
WAP is the key enabler for the tremendous increase in wireless interactive services that already have started. The WAP standard is to wireless what Internet was to wireline. In the near future, services like messaging, commerce, content and call services will be managed via WAP enabled devices.
Ericsson and Comverse will offer advanced unified messaging solutions, which integrate e-mail, voice-mail and fax into a common mailbox, accessible through any wireless terminal. The new service will enhance Unified Messaging by offering Comverse's Mobile Visual Mailbox (MVM) based on the WAP technology, giving mobile subscribers visual access to Internet-based information, multi- media messages and all personal information and messages, regardless of the originating media of the message, or regardless of where the information is stored.
"We are glad that the world leading messaging vendor has chosen the Ericsson WAP Solution. This cooperation with Comverse gives end users a superior access method for messaging services of today and tomorrow," says Staffan Perhson WAP Program Manager at Ericsson Wireless Internet.
"We are happy to extend our strong partnership with Ericsson to include new exciting technologies such as WAP. Easy access to information is key for successful deployment of services, and we believe WAP will help us provide our more than 150 digital wireless network operator customers around the world with new and exciting mobile data services," says Itsik Danziger, Chief Operating Officer, Comverse Network Systems.
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