News
Issue #2002 - 09 (March 2002)
(Updated Mar. 6, 2002)

APPLICATIONS

Erica on trial at source O2

BTexact Technologies’ innovative platform will fast track new wireless applications

BTexact Technologies, BT’s advanced research and technology business, announced today that source O2, mmO2’s initiative to launch externally developed applications over its networks, has completed a three-month trial of its newly-developed wireless applications interface platform, codenamed Project Erica.

Erica enables wireless application developers to fast track the building and deployment of wireless applications for assessment and operation by wireless operators. Erica has undergone trial at source O2’s ‘technical hub’ in Marlow, which contains fully resilient replica 2G and 2.5G networks, on which developers can integrate, test and launch their applications.

Erica will allow developers to build and operate applications from wherever they like through a single technology interface. It will support mass-market applications, such as location-based, SMS and call-control (conference call, etc), eCommerce and enterprise services, for 2, 2.5 and 3G networks. Erica
removes the need to handle complex technology integration and multiple access technologies. The next stage in Erica’s development will also enable the platform to manage billing and revenue splits with application developers.

Erica will enable network operators to evaluate products and revenue opportunities much faster and this will reduce the time and effort involved in bringing an application to market. The trial offered SMS push and pull services and a simulated user location service

Initial feedback has indicated Erica performed very well. Peramon, a software developer for the mobile data environment, one of the developers taking part in the trial reported that it managed to carry out testing of its availability-enabled application in one week, where six weeks would normally be required.

Erica provides a new route to market for wireless developers. In addition to joint product development, it enables developers to prototype and develop their own applications and solutions. This gives developers more flexibility, is better for tactical solutions and can be used to test the market appeal of applications before productisation.

Erica offers Java APIs that can be accessed by Java and Microsoft .Net applications. XML APIs will be offered at a later date. These APIs are backed up by SSL encryption and authentication, backed by full
documentation, example code and test tools. The platform integrates into all leading mobility location and SMS centres and through single APIs.

Stewart Davies, CEO BTexact, said: “BTexact has used patented technology to develop the Erica platform because we recognised early on that there will be a vibrant and profitable market for applications based on the exciting new mobile networks that we are all about to be using. “Mobile operators like mmO2 want to be able to take advantage of innovative applications as they are developed by evaluating and operating them before their competitors. We’re very much looking forward to working with source
O2 and seeing what a difference Erica will make to the mobile applications market.”

John Waterfield, head of platform development at mmO2 said: “We are pleased to trial the Erica platform at Marlow because it will enable developers to get to market faster with less involvement from us. We are very happy to share the opportunity with BTexact; we see solutions like Erica as being very important for early adoption of mobile applications.”

About BTexact Technologies
Created in April 2001, BTexact Technologies offers expertise and experience in communications technology and e-business, backed by a team of over 3000 technologists and one of the world's largest communications research and development facilities. It’s a new company, with a long history. 

About source O2
source O2 (formerly known as Expidas) is a mmO2 initiative, which can provide wireless application developers with the opportunity to launch their products on mmO2’s 2G, 2.5G and (in time) 3G networks, as well as Genie, the mobile internet portal.

Successful developers will gain access to dedicated facilities at Ealing Studios in west London, and a technical and commercial team to help get their product through testing and integration to commercial launch. Ealing is connected via high-speed link to a ‘technical hub’ of replica 2G, 2.5G networks and Service Enabling Platforms in Marlow.

About mmO2
mmO2 has 100% ownership of mobile network operators in four countries: the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), the Netherlands (Telfort Mobiel), and Ireland (Digifone). mmO2 has approximately 17.25 million customers and over 15,000 employees. 

For more information: Developers who would like to be considered for further trials can obtain further information at www.btexact.com/erica.

Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: We like Erica. As a wireless project, she has a great potential. She is filling an important void in this wireless application development space focused on carriers. Their press release sounds promising. Erica's parents are well respected organizations. While we are impressed with Erica's lineage, we would have bred Erica out of a different and mixed parentage in this diverse world of wireless data applications where convergence is an important trend. We would have got one of the parents from the IT world. May be, BTexact can cross-breed wireless heritage with IT upbringing (The British are good at cross-polination - thanks to their strengths in gene manipulation). While we see a lot of Java, we do not see much discussion of QoS, integration with backend content portals. It is a complex undertaking. We hope that BTexact is careful about spitting the task they have undertaken in manageable phases and tasks. We have great expectations and would be watching this one carefully.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.