Ericsson and Dutch ISP WISH sign contract for new e-commerce platform from EHPT

Ericsson and Dutch ISP WISH sign contract for new e-commerce platform from EHPT Ericsson has signed an agreement with Dutch Internet Service Provider WISH to supply a new payment system based on Jalda . Jalda is a non-proprietary, highly secure, multi-purpose payment system for Internet commerce. The Jalda technology, which originally was developed by Ericsson, is owned and is being further developed by EHPT, a joint venture between Ericsson and Hewlett- Packard. WISH is the first ISP in the world to offer this Internet payment system. Through Jalda, WISH will be able to offer commercial services and products via the Internet, such as video on demand, games and information services. Charges can be incurred according to elapsed time, mouse clicks, searches, levels or other specified parameters and in any amount. It is the first system that allows small payments without the use of credit cards. The fact that Jalda enables end to end secure session-based micropayments, opens the door to markets which previously could not be reached by the Internet. "Jalda will enable us to create innovative new business models, offering our customers a greater variety of goods and services. As our customer base is rapidly expanding we need to be at the forefront of e-commerce technology," says Jacob Pieterman, Holding Director WISH. The major part of the debate surrounding Internet payment has, up until now, been about different ways of sending credit card details over the Web. Instead Jalda works by using a trusted third party, in this case WISH, to handle relations between shoppers and retailers in an easy and cost-effective way. "Jalda lowers the threshold for e-commerce and, as an open, flexible payment solution, it can be easily integrated into any existing Internet environment," says Eric van Soest, General Manager New & Global Operators/ISPs at Ericsson Netherlands. "In view of the reactions in the market, we are convinced other ISPs and operators will be interested in this new technology." Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Antoinette Torell, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 519 36 99, E-mail: antoinette.torell@lme.ericsson.se Monique Mols, Press Manager Ericsson Telecommunicatie BV, Netherlands Phone: +31 161 249873, E-mail: monique.mols@etm.ericsson.se Ann-Louise Öhrn, Press Manager EHPT Phone: +46 31 746 2907, E-mail: ann-louise.ohrn@ehpt.com About Jalda Jalda is an open and global payment method, initially distributed as freeware by EHPT, a joint venture between Ericsson and Hewlett Packard. Jalda makes payments possible from a PC, mobile phone or any unit with Internet connection. The system is capable of handling sums from fractions of a cent up to large amounts of money. Jalda is an account-based system, which means that both consumers and retailers are connected to a special account. The system administers all transactions for both parties. Security builds on digital certificates for authentication, and SSL encrypting. Read more at http://www.jalda.com About WISH WISH is the first nationwide free Internet Service Provider in the Netherlands and is positioning itself as a value-added content provider. The current customer base of more than 150.000 has been acquired in only five months time. One of the shareholders of WISH is ICOM, a Dutch Internet investment company. ICOM invests and advises promising Internet companies based on quality, market potential and added value. The power of WISH is a fast growing customer base, combined with content provisioning from businesses and sport clubs. WISH is also partnering with sport federations to broadcast sporting events over the Internet to their customers. WISH has recently signed an agreement with NCRV, a Dutch broadcasting organization, to offer NCRV's 400,000 members a free Internet subscription via the WISH infrastructure. About EHPT EHPT, formerly Ericsson Hewlett-Packard Telecommunications, is an independent, world-class provider of application software and services to telecom operators and has installed 510 operations support and business support systems in 78 countries. Its success is based on a thorough understanding of the convergence of telecom and computer networks. Founded in 1993 as a joint venture owned 60% by Ericsson and 40% by Hewlett-Packard, it combines and enhances the strengths of these world-leaders to provide leading edge solutions. EHPT is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and employs 1,100 staff worldwide. Please visit EHPT on the web at www.ehpt.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/05/19991005BIT00420/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/05/19991005BIT00420/bit0002.pdf