SAN DIEGO, Jan. 22, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- SMS.ac chairman and chief executive officer Michael Pousti says: "If you build it, they will come." Today, the wireless technologies company announced that more than 1.5 million unique users have already registered online to use its suite of SMS messaging services.
Six weeks ago, SMS.ac, Inc. (www.sms.ac/corporate) launched a consumer-focused web site (www.sms.ac) to showcase its proprietary MMSbox(tm) technology that enables short message service (SMS) communications to be sent across multiple networks, regardless of what standard is utilized.
MMSbox(tm) technology makes SMS text and data messaging available to wireless network operators and their customers across multiple formats such as GSM, CDMA and TDMA and is compatible with nearly all mobile devices. MMSbox interoperability lends itself to the development of exciting and compelling applications from developers who realize that they can now penetrate a global marketplace, instead of being restricted to developing for a single network platform.
Because MMSbox technology was created primarily for licensing to wireless network operators, SMS.ac first needed to show consumer adoption of this technology in action. Pousti says that the web site's popularity is a strong and positive indicator for the wireless industry.
"Despite being dismissed as a short-term amusement for youth, SMS messaging is becoming a global phenomenon with a broad usership that includes businesses and learning institutions," said Pousti. "And now that the issue of network interoperability has been solved, I am confident that considerably greater revenue opportunities are at hand for network carriers and applications developers. As U.S. adoption of SMS messaging occurs, I expect global text messaging will grow to in excess of 110 billion messages sent monthly, by end-of-year.
"The incredible growth of our SMS.ac community to over 1.5 million in such a short time proves that there is significant consumer demand for SMS messaging services and our technology. And I am confident that our technologies will effectively springboard the introduction and adoption of next-generation wireless applications," added Pousti.
The allure of SMS (text) messaging lies in its accessibility, ease of use, privacy, and affordability (relative to the cost of a mobile-based voice message). It is estimated that 30 billion SMS messages were sent worldwide in December 2001. This figure is up from the approximately 20 billion text messages sent in Q3 2001.
To learn more about SMS.ac and to discover how this brandable technology can be seamlessly and transparently integrated into your company's offerings, visit www.sms.ac and contact bizdev@sms.ac.
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About SMS.ac:
Through its core technologies, SMS.ac enables network operators, technology standards, consumers and application/content developers to interact worldwide. SMS.ac's MMSbox(tm) technologies unify GSM, CDMA, TDMA, the Internet and next-generation standards for the first time. The result is interaction not previously possible amongst a critical mass of developers, consumers and businesses -- igniting the widespread adoption and use of wireless data for network operators.
SMS.ac drives revenues through technology licensing, subscriptions, sponsorships and shared revenue opportunities. SMS.ac's consumer site (www.sms.ac) is an example of the brandable web interfaces to MMSbox(tm) technologies available for licensing. The community of wireless enthusiasts at SMS.ac represents one of the fastest growing consumer properties on the Internet. SMS.ac and MMSbox are trademarks of SMS.ac, Incorporated. Other trademarks or service marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. To view the SMS.ac corporate web site, visit www.sms.ac/corporate.