News
Issue #2003 - 17 (May 2003)
(Updated May 24, 2003)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

LightSurf Introduces Global Exchange for MMS Content Publishing & Distribution

SANTA CRUZ, CA - May 20, 2003 - LightSurf Technologies, Inc., the world leader in MMS, Picture-Messaging, and Premium Content Delivery Services, announced today the immediate availability of Global Exchange for MMS (GX-MMS), a comprehensive real-time content publishing, distribution and management solution for wireless operators and third-party providers of mobile content. LightSurf GX-MMS makes it easy for operators to rapidly deliver revenue-generating premium services featuring content from popular third-party providers, and offers content providers a comprehensive solution for content publishing, management, billing, and delivery to all operators across diverse networks.

"In order to drive ARPU, premium content needs to be optimized for heterogeneous wireless networks and infrastructure," said Philippe Kahn, co-founder and CEO of LightSurf Technologies. "With the rapid penetration of multimedia handsets (MMS), consumers demand an optimal user experience as they access premium content in real-time. The LightSurf GX-MMS solution radically simplifies the process, bringing premium content optimally to consumers."

Recently, business intelligence provider Juniper Research found that by 2004 much of the revenue for MMS would be generated via content delivery and provisioning ($5.6 billion), rather than by pure peer-to-peer messaging ($2.7 billion).

"Consumers around the world are beginning to adopt premium content delivery services which is great news for wireless operators," said Scott Ellison, Director of Wireless and Mobile Communications for IDC. "LightSurf's GX-MMS solution may accelerate the growth of these MMS and content delivery services through rapid and reliable distribution of content to popular devices across both CDMA and GSM markets."

LightSurf GX-MMS allows consumers to easily access and use the content they find important. For example, consumers who are interested in a certain celebrity can sign up to receive pictures, sound clips, and other cool multimedia files about that celebrity automatically delivered right to their handset. Consumers are willing to pay for the delivery of the information that matters most, and GX-MMS ensures that the process is quick, easy and cost-effective.

KEY FEATURES OF GX-MMS:

• Content distribution and management service for efficiently delivering mobile content to users across all networks and devices 
• Works across all wireless networks (CDMA, GSM, GPRS, 3G) and all delivery protocols including MMS, WAP and SMS 
• Ready-to-deploy dynamic and static content services 
• Complete end-to-end third-party content publishing, distribution, billing and management solution with flexible dynamic content capture and rating, automated content audit trails, revision and rollback capabilities, and an easy-to-use content management interface 
• Optimized content delivery and a user-friendly interface provide a tightly integrated experience that turns consumer impulses into revenues
• Automatically manages dynamic and syndicated content feeds and alerts 

OPERATOR BENEFITS:

• Differentiate service, build brand loyalty, and drive higher ARPU with new and unique mobile premium content applications 
• Speed time to market for new premium content delivery services 
  Improve performance while minimizing the recurring management and maintenance costs of offering premium third-party content
• Bring true entertainment and the best multimedia user experience to mobile services 
  Rapidly convert content deals into powerful promotions

Content Provider Benefits:

• Easily distribute and sell content to mobile consumers on multiple networks through a single point of network integration 
• Comprehensive content management service provides the easiest and most cost-effective solution for distributing and selling content to mobile consumers 
• Promote market awareness and presence while ensuring that branded content is always delivered and displayed perfectly
• Maintain control over content updates, syndication parameters and ratings 

Consumer benefits:

• Easy access to popular third-party content makes multimedia messaging more compelling 
• Stay connected to the information that matters most to you 
• Content subscription services, themed content downloads and themed alerts are fun and exciting ways to use new mobile phones
• Make mobile devices more useful - news, weather, sports and more 

About LightSurf
LightSurf develops infrastructure solutions for MMS, Picture-Messaging, and Premium Content Delivery services, supporting all mobile devices and wireless networks. 

Source: LightSurf news release

For more information: http://www.lightsurf.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: We see good progress from software infrastructure suppliers like LightSurf but consumer uptake of MMS services is slow. We expect the carriers to be able to respond when market does move - in two to three years.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of Securities Exchange act of 1934 in USA. Similar provisions exist in other countries. There is no assurance that the stipulated plans of vendors will be implemented. MobileInfo does not warrant the authenticity of the information. 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.