ACT Conferences' Mobile Messaging and Internet Applications Show Demonstrates Demand and Applications for Wireless Access to Internet Information.

Business Editors

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2000

Leaders in the mobile messaging and wireless Internet industry gathered here at ACT Conferences' first annual Mobile Messaging and Internet Applications show to discuss what steps need to be taken to ensure the continued explosive growth of the Internet's first "killer app" - messaging - on wireless devices and networks. Walt Purnell, CEO of Motient Corp., pointed to the need for providers to focus on customers, applications and delivering quality, universal service, rather than selling the latest and greatest technology. He explained why forecasts for dramatic growth are likely to come true and cited the many signs of existing demand. Similarly, Ross Buckenham, CEO of WebLink Wireless, noted the exponential growth of SMS messaging - which surpassed 5 billion messages sent in March of this year - as further proof of the market's powerful existence. However, Purnell also warned the industry not to "overhype" what can be delivered today, saying, "(service providers) that advertise web browsing on wireless phones today are doing a disservice to the industry," because they create unrealistic expectations for the consumer.

On the applications side, Mark Ein, CEO and founder of Venturehouse Group and co-founder of Aether Systems, said that some "truly revolutionary applications and technologies will be created in the wireless arena" and that organizations should "get funding when they can, rather than when they need it," to develop these solutions. He echoed Purnell's sentiments about the existing demand for wireless information, noting that desktop information has become critical to organizations and this trend is spreading to wireless devices. He also pointed to some of the voice-enabling technologies as good examples of applications capable of accelerating the adoption of wireless devices and information services.

One such application is the Personal Virtual Assistant demonstrated by Conita Technologies. This application, which was voted Best of Show, integrates multiple communication and information sources into a single voice interface. And, by turning a wireless phone into a voice portal, offers mobile professionals with instant remote access to critical information inside their company's firewall using a patented technology combining voice recognition, text-to-speech, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

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