|
Motorola Acquires J2ME
Technology Leader, 4thpass; Expanding Complete Java Solution Offerings To
Operators Worldwide
Libertyville, IL. – September 16, 2002 – In
a strategic move to support its customers’ desire to generate additional
revenue and reduce costs for managing wireless Java™ 2 Platform, Micro
Edition (J2ME™) services, Motorola today announced that it has signed an
agreement to acquire 4thpass, a Seattle-based company. Motorola will integrate
4thpass’ Mobile Application System (MAS) into its robust J2ME technology
product portfolio.
MAS is commercially
deployed today around the globe, with such operators as Telefonica Moviles
(Spain), Nextel and LG Telecom (Korea). 4thpass MAS is also resold through value
added resellers, which include Ericsson and Siemens. The solution is comprised
of a Java download server – a smart provisioning system to ensure the
right applications are delivered to the right devices. MAS also gives operators
multiple ways to bill for content and advanced technology to validate
applications and control how they behave on devices and on the operator’s
network. MAS manages and securely delivers J2ME applications and other mobile
content over-the-air from operator networks to mobile handsets, allowing the
mobile user to continually upgrade and personalize the applications, like
wireless games, on their mobile device.
The sale, which is subject to closing
conditions, is expected to be completed in September. The acquisition follows a
Motorola investment in 4thpass last year, made by Motorola Ventures, the
strategic venture capital arm of the global communications company. Other
4thpass investors include Investcorp, OVP Venture Partners and
Nextel.
“By integrating 4thpass’s
proven download, billing and provisioning technology into its portfolio,
Motorola will extend its strategy to assist operators in deploying applications
that measurably grow average revenue per user (ARPU).” said Scott
Durchslag, Motorola’s corporate vice-president for strategy and business
development. “This deal illustrates how we are executing a three horizon
growth strategy that invests internally and externally in capabilities that (1)
strengthen our core handset business; (2) extend our core business into software
and solutions; and (3) create growth options in emerging but strategically
related spaces.”
“4thpass is well
recognized in the industry as a top provider of J2ME software with whom we have
successfully collaborated to meet the needs of operators in Asia, Europe, Latin
America, and the United States.” added Mike Bordelon, corporate vice
president and general manager within Motorola’s Personal Communications
Sector. “We look forward to integrating the 4thpass
solution into our portfolio to strengthen our offerings to operators and our
java partners.”
Motorola is leading the
industry in bringing J2ME technology to wireless communications. In addition to
contributing to key, open J2ME standards and launching the first wireless phone
incorporating the technology, Motorola continues to offer its customers a
portfolio of solutions including more than a dozen wireless phones with J2ME
technology, branded applications and content and a full service developer
program to assist software developers in creating and certifying new wireless
applications.
“It’s now clear Java is the leading force in
the wireless marketplace and is key for operators rolling out data services.
With Motorola, we enter a new stage as a company and as developers of leading
wireless data solutions,” said 4thpass co-founders, Mazin Ramadan and
Zeyad Ramadan. “Together, Motorola and 4thpass have a proven, complete and
economical solution for operators worldwide.”
4thpass will operate as part of Motorola’s
Personal Communications Sector with major offices in Seattle.
About J2ME Technology
J2ME technology was developed for low powered devices
and provides consumers with the ability to add new applications, created by
software developers, to their devices as their individual needs change and grow.
Since J2ME(TM) is an industry standard, the same software and applications can
work on a variety of different devices.
Today, there are currently 2.5 million Java developers
in the world who write programs for wired devices. These developers are also
able to write applications that will work across a variety of J2ME(TM) wireless
devices.
The significance and market opportunity associated with
J2ME(TM) is expected to be equivalent to what occurred in the personal computer
industry when third-party application developers began writing applications for
the mass consumer computer market.
About
4thpass4thpass
( www.4thpass.com)
4thpass is a Seattle-based company that builds and markets smart provisioning
software for wireless operators to manage and deliver applications and other
mobile content over the air to mobile devices. Through its core product,
MAS™, 4thpass gives operators the ability to deliver the right content to
the right mobile devices. LG TeleCom in Korea, Telefónica Moviles
in Spain and Nextel currently license 4thpass MAS technology. Ericsson and
Siemens are resellers of 4thpass MAS technology. 4thpass, founded in 1997, is a
privately held company.
About
Motorola
Motorola, Inc (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing
integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001 were
$30 billion. For more information about Motorola and its leadership in J2ME
technology, please visit
http://www.motorola.com.
Media Contact: Sue
Frederick Motorola,
Inc. 847.523.6555 sue.frederick@motorola.com
# # #
|