OmniSky Corporation (Formerly OpenSky) Announces Nationwide Beta Program for Breakthrough Wireless Internet Service

First fully featured and integrated service brings wireless Internet access to Palm V users, making it easy to stay connected anytime and anywhere

OmniSky Corporation, formerly OpenSky, today announced the beta launch of its wireless Internet and email service, which enables mobile professionals to stay in touch with business-critical information when they are on the road. The extensive public beta program, which begins in mid-December, is being offered to Palm V users. The OmniSky service is the first to integrate hardware, software and Internet access in an easy-to-use solution.

Modem and Unlimited Access Through March 31, 2000 for $299

OmniSky's public beta program will begin in mid-December, with signups starting immediately. The official nationwide launch is scheduled for Q1 of 2000. The beta program is being offered to the first 5000 Palm V users who register for the service. OmniSky is conducting the beta program in order to obtain real-time feedback from users to ensure an exceptional customer experience. For $299, beta users will receive an OmniSky™ Minstrel™ V wireless modem and unlimited service through March 31, 2000. At that point, these "charter" users will be offered a 15% lifetime discount on the lowest published rate for the service. The offer is accompanied by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Users may sign up at the OmniSky website or by calling 800.860.5767.

"The Palm V is a runaway leader in handheld organizers, so it was a natural choice to look to this group of customers for the initial launch of our services," said Patrick McVeigh, CEO of OmniSky. "We know these users like to be the first to try new innovations, so we are inviting them to participate in our unique customer beta program and to give us their feedback. We are dedicated to providing an extraordinary service that keeps mobile professionals in touch no matter where their business takes them."

OmniSky also announced today that AT&T Wireless will be the premier telecommunications carrier for the service (see separate release). The OmniSky service leverages the Aether Intelligent Messaging technology from Aether Systems, which is optimized for wireless applications and provides device and network independence. The service includes:

• Full-featured email from existing email accounts: The service supports most POP3 email accounts and even alerts the user when new email messages are waiting to be read.
• Real web content with full access to the Internet: The OmniSky service supports Palm Query Applications (PQAs), which let users receive instant "web clippings," providing information such as stock quotes, weather and airline schedules. Users can browse the web using Internet channels developed by AvantGo, which optimizes content for wireless devices. In addition, OmniSky users can access virtually any web site through an included browser.
• Integrated Palm and wireless applications: Standard Palm applications such as AddressBook and DateBook are enhanced with new wireless capabilities. This allows a user, for example, to simply email entries, including Vcals or Vcards, directly from their AddressBook or DateBook, as well as to download entries to these applications directly from the Internet.
• Custom-designed wireless CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) modem: As part of the service, users receive a sleek, high-performance OmniSky™ Minstrel V™ wireless modem for the Palm V organizer, exclusively offered by OmniSky.
• Simplified fixed rate pricing: To encourage users to participate in the beta program, OmniSky is offering the modem, software and unlimited usage for $299 through March 31, 2000. Omnisky will continue to offer fixed-rate pricing when it officially launches the nationwide service in Q1 of 2000.

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