Send hand-written messages via mobile phones

Europolitan Vodafone and Ericsson in working partnership Send hand-written messages via mobile phones Ericsson and Europolitan Vodafone are initiating a working partnership relating to Ericsson's new digital pen - Chatpen, which enables direct communication via mobile phones, computers and the Internet using a pen and paper. Chatpen users will be able to send hand-written messages and notes to anyone who has a mobile phone or computer connected to the Internet. Chatpen looks and works like an ordinary pen, but reads its own position on regular paper with a special, almost invisible dotted pattern*. Once the use of the digital pen and the patterned paper becomes more widespread, Chatpen will have countless areas of use. This could include ordering goods electronically from a paper catalogue without being anywhere near a computer, or collecting different kinds of company- internal data digitally (for example inventory lists, etc.) using printed forms. Users will even be able to sign business contracts remotely. Whatever you write on the paper with your digital pen is sent digitally to your own mobile phone, computer or palmtop using Bluetooth technology. It is then forwarded to other mobile phones or computers via the GPRS network. In the autumn of 2001, Chatpen and related services will be tested in Europolitan Vodafone's GPRS network. The digital pen will, according to plan, then be available in the market in the last quarter of 2001. Europolitan Vodafone's services for Chatpen will be launched commercially in 2002. "Europolitan Vodafone wants to offer the best service provision and range in the market today and in the future. Chatpen is an exciting concept and we believe the digital pen has tremendous potential. Possibilities include offering new, advanced services to the entire customer group of mobile phone users today," says Jon Risfelt, CEO of Europolitan Vodafone. * The patterned paper has been developed and is owned by Anoto AB, subsidiary of CTechnologies AB, listed on Stockholmsbörsen. For more information, please contact: Nils Carlsson, Strategic Business Development, Europolitan Vodafone Tel: +46 709 61 43 18, e-mail: nils.carlsson@europolitan.se Johan Holmgren, Director Public Relations, Europolitan Vodafone Tel: +46 708 33 14 00, e-mail: johan.holmgren@europolitan.se Peter Bodor, Public Relations Manager, Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Tel: +46 8 404 24 23 or +46 70 328 24 23 Johan Sjödahl, Director Strategic Accounts, Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Tel: +46 8 193715 or +46 70 5790054 Europolitan Vodafone is a mobile operator with a licence to build a 3G mobile telecoms network. Our strength lies in our focus on developing international services, customer service and quality. Europolitan Vodafone employs some 1,400 people. Europolitan Vodafone is listed on Stockholmsbörsen Attract 40 list through Europolitan Holdings AB. The company's principal owner is Vodafone, with 71 per cent of Europolitan Holdings. The remaining 29 per cent is owned by private shareholders, investment companies and pension funds. The Vodafone group is represented on 5 continents and has around 80 million customers (proportionate customers). For more information, please visit www.europolitan.se and www.vodafone.com. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,00 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. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/18/20010618BIT00890/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/18/20010618BIT00890/bit0001.pdf