Comverse Network Systems, a division of Comverse Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:CMVT), and the world's leading supplier of enhanced services platforms to wireless and wireline service providers, commissioned one of the world's largest independent research companies, Infratest Burke InCom, London, to provide an evaluation of the unified messaging services (UMS) market potential across ten countries in Europe (UK, France, Italy, Germany, The Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, Holland, Finland and Sweden). Before this study was released, no public information was available about the profile of a UMS user, the potential revenue for network operators, or what the optimal pricing for a UMS package should be.
One of the key findings is that potential users are ready to pay a high price for a basic package such as email, voicemail and fax through a PC, notification through short message of all email, and forward fax to email on a PC. Fifteen Euro per month is the optimum price that most people are prepared to pay, yet 17.4% of respondents would consider buying the same basic package for up to 50 Euro. This high revenue potential should allow network operators to get a return on their investment after one year.
According to David Lisbona, Unified Messaging Product Director at Comverse Network Systems, "Comverse Network Systems has deployed unified messaging services with operators in Europe and in Asia. This research has confirmed that the market for these products is maturing. Comverse Network Systems aims to provide its 100 million worldwide voice mail subscribers with access to unified messaging services."
Benjamin Levy, Director of Marketing Services for EMEA at Comverse Network Systems, said, "This market research provides us with a strong endorsement of Comverse Network Systems' unique business philosophy: to support our customers by building the best service packages for their own needs, and by helping them to define pricing strategies for their market segments."
Comverse Network Systems will be demonstrating unified messaging at World Telecom '99 in booth 1130.02, USA Pavilion October 10-17, 1999 in Geneva, Switzerland. A special press briefing on the key findings of this research will be held on Tuesday October 12, from 10:00 - 10:30 AM and Wednesday, October 13, from 2:30 - 3:00 PM. Specific demonstrations on Unified Messaging for the press will also be held on Tuesday October 12, from 11:30 - 12:00 PM.
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