Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola and Siemens commit to supporting EMS

Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola and Siemens commit to supporting EMS and bringing exciting images and sound to text messaging Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola and Siemens have announced today that they will implement EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service). They will work together to ensure interoperability between their products and also in the evolution of the EMS standard. EMS adds powerful new functionality to the popular text-based SMS (Short Messaging Service). Using EMS, mobile phone users can add life to their Text Messages in the form of images, melodies, and animations. Users will now be able to enjoy collecting and swapping images, ring signals and other melodies between the handsets of some of the world's leading suppliers. Because the EMS standard is open, operators and content suppliers alike will be able to introduce appealing new value-added services such as screen savers, images and ring melodies that can be easily downloaded from the Internet. By the end of January 2001, SMS was used to send more than 20 billion text messages per month worldwide. EMS messages are sent over the same infrastructure as regular SMS messages, thus keeping investments to a minimum and allowing for quick and easy deployment of the service. EMS provides an important evolutionary step between SMS and full Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). The EMS standard was defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), the same standardization body from which the worldwide success of GSM and the standardization of SMS (Short Messaging Services) originated. It is a completely open standard that may be supported by any manufacturer in the interests of interoperability between consumers. EMS enabled telephones will begin shipping from the end of Q2 this year, however, because EMS is obviously tied to new product launches, this timescale will vary across manufacturers. Notes to Editors: About Alcatel Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to- end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 130,000 employees and sales of EURO 31 billion in 2000, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Béatrice Mandine Press & Public Director, Alcatel Mobile Phone Division Tel +33 1 55 66 64 37 beatrice.mandine@alcatel.fr About Ericsson Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Peter Bodor, Public Relations Manager Ericsson Mobile Communications Phone: +46 8 404 24 23 E-mail: peter.bodor@ecs.ericsson.se About Motorola Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. These include: · Software-enhanced wireless telephone, two-way radio, messaging and satellite communications products and systems, as well as networking and Internet-access products, for consumers, network operators, and commercial, government and industrial customers. · Digital and analog systems and set-top terminals for broadband cable television operators. · Embedded semiconductor solutions for customers in the networking and computing, transportation, wireless communications and imaging and entertainment industries. · Embedded electronic systems for automotive, communications, imaging, manufacturing systems, computer, consumer and industrial markets. Sales in 2000 were $37.6 billion. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Natalie Link PR Manager Motorola EMEA Personal Communications Sector Tel. + 44 1256 790 790 Natalie.link@motorola.com Susannah Emery Motorola EMEA Press Office Hill and Knowlton Tel: + 44 207 973 3511 news.mot.emea@hillandknowlton.com About Siemens You can access this press release on the internet at: http://www.siemens.com/mobile-business/newsroom The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes the complete range of GSM, GPRS and UMTS mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Applications cover mobile services for Unified Messaging, Location Based Services, and Mobile Payment. For the fiscal year 2000 (which ended September 30, 2000), IC Mobile recorded sales of EUR 9 billion and EBIT of EUR 758 million. The group employs 29,840 employees worldwide. (March 31, 2001). You can access further information about Siemens IC Mobile on the Internet at http://www.siemens.de/mobile Any statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties; actual results may differ from the forward-looking statements. Siemens AG undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. One photograph accompanies this press release. You can access the photo on the Internet at URL: http://www.siemens.com/mobile-business/newsroom next to this press release. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Yasmin Adeili Tel: + 49 89 722 28705 Yasmin.adeili@mch.siemens.de ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/29/20010529BIT00710/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/29/20010529BIT00710/bit0001.pdf