News
Issue #2003 - 18 (June 2003)
(Updated June 4, 2003)

APPLICATION SOLUTIONS & APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Jabber Enters Wireless Instant Messaging Market, Makes Deals with Intel & HP

DENVER, COLO. - May 28, 2003 - Jabber, Inc., the leading developer of open architecture for enterprise- and carrier-class presence-enabled communications, including instant messaging (IM), today announced plans to introduce an advanced product suite designed to add presence and real-time communication capabilities to wireless devices and services. 

As the spearhead to its overall wireless strategy, Jabber, Inc. announced that its SMS (Short Message Service) Gateway, the first product in its wireless suite, will be made available to mobile operators and other customers in Q3 of this year. 

Several other new wireless products, such as HTTP and Wireless Village client gateways and new clients for mobile devices, will be offered later in the year in response to increasing demand from both enterprises and mobile operators. Jabber, Inc. is also planning service extensions that will help wireless and wire line users locate, communicate, and share digital content with one another. 

Short Message Service (SMS), the ability for users to send and receive simple text messages to and from mobile telephones, is exploding worldwide. The Radicati Group estimates that SMS users will grow from 576 million in 2002 to 1.36 billion by 2006. According to an August 2002 report issued by Wireless Oracle, increasing SMS traffic is a key objective for most mobile carriers as it currently generates between 10 to 15 percent of a carrier’s total revenues. 

Jabber, Inc.’s SMS Gateway will allow SMS users to send messages directly to Jabber-based desktop IM clients. It also gives SMS users the ability to indicate their connection status and see the connection status of their mobile and desktop contacts. According to Jabber, Inc., SMS Gateway will allow Jabber users to know the availability of their contacts whether they are connected at the desktop or wirelessly on a cell phone or other compatible device. 

“Presence is a key enabler,” said Gabriel Brown, analyst for Unstrung Insider. “Presence unlocks new applications, productivity tools, revenue opportunities, and consumer ease-of-use. Adding it into SMS services and allowing SMS users to chat with desktop users and vice-versa is a compelling event that may help spur SMS and IM usage in the US and new services in Europe and Asia.” 

Once installed within a wireless network, SMS Gateway requires no new hardware or configuration for SMS subscribers. Communication between SMS users and their desktop IM counterparts is instantaneous, with SMS users gaining more of the functionality they are accustomed to with desktop IM services. 

“Open architected solutions are increasingly the hallmark of wired infrastructure because of their decreased cost and increased flexibility,” said Rob Balgley, Jabber, Inc.’s President and CEO. “The addition of wireless capabilities to Jabber, Inc.’s product portfolio signifies that the advantages of open architecture are no longer limited to fixed communications. Wireless open architecture means more options for carriers and enterprises and better services for the communities they serve.”

About Jabber, Inc.
Jabber, Inc. is the developer of the world's most widely used open platform for extensible instant messaging and other presence-enabled communications. Jabber Inc.’s commercial software has been sold and deployed to more than 3 million users. The Jabber Open Source project now has more than 160,000 servers in operation worldwide, and an estimated 7-10 million users. Jabber has been adopted in the telecommunications, enterprise and software development markets by customers that include France Telecom, Earthlink, Hewlett-Packard, BellSouth, webMethods, AT&T, Landmark Graphics, and Juniper Networks. Jabber, Inc.’s investors include France TelecomIntel Capital, Intel’s strategic investing arm, and Webb Interactive Services, Inc. 

Fore More Information: Please see http://www.jabber.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Jabber's SMS gateway should be evaluated by all serious wireless service providers. Operators need open solutions where they can interface with a variety of messaging software of enterprise customers and large ISPs. 

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.