Broadbeam Selected by BT Wireless To Support Development Of GPRS Wireless
Applications
LONDON - August 13, 2001 – Broadbeam, provider of a proven wireless
platform that enables developers to rapidly create, deploy and manage mobile
applications, today announced a partnership with BT wireless. With extensive
experience in wireless software infrastructure, Broadbeam is one of only a few
long-term players in the market – and the first to recognize early on, the
critical need for store-and-forward and notification capabilities in enterprise
wireless applications. To date, Broadbeam’s technical innovation and market
delivery strategy underpin wireless development in over 500 companies, such as
Worldcom, Sears and Telia.
Through this alliance, Broadbeam will provide its ExpressQÔ
store-and-forward mobile messaging Software Development Toolkit free of charge
to the application developers in BT wireless’ Expidas community. This will be
complemented by the installation of ExpressQTM in the new Expidas
application development facility in Ealing Studios. Together, Broadbeam and BT
wireless will work to speed the development of business applications designed
for GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) mobile users.
Peter Lisle, BT wireless GPRS Programme manager said, "We are delighted
to be working with Broadbeam on this critical initiative. Broadbeam has
demonstrated that it has an API (Application Programming Interface) set that is
open and intuitive and I am confident that our partnership will help accelerate
the development of GPRS enabled applications." Lisle went on to say,
"I am looking forward to working with the Broadbeam team, from both the UK
and the US over the coming months as we see innovative applications being
developed by the Expidas community facilitated by the infrastructure BT
wireless and Broadbeam are providing."
"We are pleased to partner with BT wireless, as we share complementary
technology for the roll-out of 2.5G networks and beyond," said Giles
Padmore, General Manager, Europe, for Broadbeam Corporation. "Using
ExpressQÔ , a key component of Broadbeam’s
third-generation AxioÔ wireless software platform,
BT wireless developers and Broadbeam will work together in the development and
deployment of quality applications for GPRS."
Broadbeam’s ExpressQÔ store-and-forward
messaging server ensures that mobile workforces will always receive critical
corporate information by temporarily storing wireless messages for
out-of-coverage users and then forwarding messages when they return to coverage
areas. At the same time it supports real-time, interactive communication when
both sides are connected, where messaging may be initiated either from the
client or server. These features provide users of wireless devices who
frequently experience temporary coverage holes, battery failures, or powered
off devices with the peace-of-mind that time-critical data messages will be
immediately forwarded to the appropriate party the moment coverage returns.
ExpressQTM allows users to work offline even when out of coverage,
and then return to on-line working and synchronise to the host server. While
supporting these services, ExpressQ provides end-to-end security between
intelligent mobile devices and enterprise server applications.
BT wireless wholly owns mobile phone operations serving 16.1 million
customers in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort),
the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone) and the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom). BT
Cellnet was the first operator in the world to launch a commercial GPRS
service. Expidas is a means for wireless application developers to partner with
BT wireless, and potentially launch their products on BT wireless’ 2G, 2.5G
and 3G networks. The expidas.com Web site provides invaluable information for
application developers, including a technical overview of GPRS, contact details
for technical queries and reference materials, such as a developer’s guide,
developer’s directory and wireless glossary. Expidas.com now provides
developers with free access to Broadbeam’s Software Development Toolkits. In
addition, developers registered with expidas.com can test and potentially
launch their applications at BT wireless’ comprehensive new facilities at
Ealing Studios.
About Broadbeam
Broadbeam Corporation’s proven wireless software platform clears an
inside track to rapidly develop, deploy and manage mobile applications, and
empowers businesses around the globe to effectively build and leverage their
mobile workforces. The Company supplies Independent Software Vendors, Systems
Integrators and enterprises with the wireless infrastructure software required
to mobilize a workforce, the platform for developing wireless applications and
managed services to assist customers in integrating or outsourcing their
wireless solution. Broadbeam has partnered with such technology leaders as Palm
and NTT DoCoMo and boasts over ten years of wireless expertise and experience
in delivering mobile solutions to industry giants including Worldcom, Sears and
Telia. Currently, over 500 businesses and 170,000 mobile users rely on
Broadbeam’s technology and services, which support all major devices and
networks. For more information, please visit http://www.broadbeam.com.
About BT wireless
BT wireless has a major European footprint with wholly owned operations in
the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort), the
Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone) and the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom). BT
wireless also includes Genie, which is one of Europe’s leading mobile
Internet portals. BT wireless owns third generation licenses to operate 3G
mobile services in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands – all territories
where it has already launched GPRS services. BT announced on May 10 that it
intends to de-merge BT wireless before the end of this year.
About Expidas
Expidas is a means for wireless application developers to develop their
products on 2G, 2.5G and (in time) 3G networks, and reach BT wireless
customers. 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 and possibly to commercial
launch. Developers should register their details on the Expidas web site to
start the process; this information could also be shared with Venture
Capitalist companies, looking for funding opportunities. The web site also
contains technical data, white papers and information on training, consultancy
and testing connection to GPRS. www.expidas.com
Contact:
