SEATTLE, May 15, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- U S WEST customers can now have wireless U S WEST. net Internet e-mail and Personal Information Management (PIM) services available through the joint efforts of VirtualTek Corporation and U S WEST. With the new U S WEST MyDesk service, U S WEST Wireless BrowseNowSM customers will be able to check their U S WEST.net e-mail, address book, calendars and user preferences from any U S WEST Wireless data capable PCS phone.
The Web-based solution is enabled by Joydesk software, developed by VirtualTek Corporation of Seattle, WA. Joydesk provides U S WEST BrowseNow customers the capability to wirelessly-enable e-mail and PIM services for their subscribers, which can be accessed via browser-equipped wireless devices.
"We are excited about working with such a fine technology and telecommunications colleague", said Sam Sim, director of sales for VirtualTek Corporation. "U S WEST has taken a big step toward expanding their wireless Internet services and we are pleased to assist them in their efforts. By offering U S WEST MyDesk wireless U S WEST.net e-mail and PIM services, powered by Joydesk software, U S WEST will truly be an innovator in the wireless Internet arena and provide tremendous value to their end users."
"We are constantly searching for ways to make our products and services more useful to our customers' lives. The new U S WEST MyDesk service can meet customers' mobile communications needs in a simple, easy-to-use manner," said Matt Sopcich, general manager, U S WEST Wireless, LLC. "By working with VirtualTek and their wireless Web-based solution, it just got easier for our customers to access the personal organizer tools they depend on in their daily lives - all from the convenience of their data capable wireless phones." For more information about U S WEST BrowseNowSM: http://www.uswestwireless.com/advancedpcs/learn/dataservices/browsenow.shtml.
VirtualTek is a high-profile developer of Web-based and wireless collaboration software. Their flagship product, Joydesk Workgroup Collaboration Server and Wireless Internet Add-on, gives new meaning to the phrase, 'anytime, anywhere, access.' VirtualTek's goal is to provide access to comprehensive peer-to-peer and business-to-business communication, from any device. The Joydesk interface, e-mail, address book, message board and user preferences can be viewed via an HTML Internet browser or HDML PCS phone mini-browser.
About VirtualTek Corporation/Joydesk.com
VirtualTek Corp., established in January 1997, is a leader in Web-based Groupware servers for Internet/Intranet environments. VirtualTek's flagship product, Joydesk 2.1 is the value-added software of choice for websites all over the U.S., as well as an effective Web-based Intranet for the enterprise market. For more information about Joydesk 2.1, including pricing and technical specifications, VirtualTek can be reached by phone at (425) 673-1144 or by e-mail at sales@virtualtek.com. The company's Website is located at http://joydesk.com. Press or Investor relations can call (425) 673-1144 or e-mail at: Press: press@virtualtek.com; Investor Relations: info@virtualtek.com.
About U S WEST
U S WEST (NYSE:USW) is a leading broadband and communications service provider, with more than $13 billion in annual revenues. U S WEST leads the industry in deploying next-generation broadband ADSL and VDSL Internet access and data/video services; offers the nation's first and only 'one-number' advanced wireless service that integrates customers' home or business phones with their wireless PCS; and provides multimedia advertising services, including Internet & print directories. The company has nearly 2 million miles of deployed fiber in the U.S., provides local exchange services to more than 25 million customers in 14 states, and provides wireless services to more than 500,000 customers and data services to more than 800,000 customers nationally.
U S WEST is merging with Qwest Communications International Inc. The combination, to be named Qwest Communications International Inc., will create a communications powerhouse with a market capitalization of more than $70 billion, headquartered in Denver and employing about 64,000 people worldwide. U S WEST and Qwest will unite the nation's most innovative local, wireless and broadband communications firm with one of the world's most advanced fiber-optic networks and broadband Internet providers. Together, the two firms will have more than 3 million miles of deployed fiber in the U.S. and worldwide, 29 million customers and a local network that is 99.2 percent digitally switched. For more information about U S WEST, go to http://www.uswest.com.