CANBOX Selects TCS's Wireless Messaging Service to Expand U.S. Offering.

Business/Technology Editors

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2001

Internet-Based Unified Messaging Provider First to Include SMS 

Technology, Adding PC-to-Phone Wireless Messaging and Notification

Services

CANBOX USA, Inc., a pioneer in Unified Communications software, today announced that it has selected TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) to provide a wireless distribution platform for CANBOX's Unified Messaging Service (UMS) customers. CANBOX's UMS will enable customers to take advantage of TCS's "short message service" (SMS) technology to enable PC-to-phone wireless messaging and notification services. Using TCS's network independent technology, CANBOX will become the first U.S. UMS provider to add SMS capabilities supporting all major U.S. wireless platforms, including CDMA, TDMA, and GSM.

TCS's technology will enable CANBOX subscribers to receive SMS notifications of new voicemail, e-mail and fax messages sent to their UMS account. The service will allow customers to notify them on their cellular phone when all--or only certain specific--messages arrive. The notification message is completely customizable, and the service will allow greater flexibility in responding and quicker replies to critical messages. In addition, UMS users will be able to instantly send SMS messages to any mobile phone in the U.S. directly from their UMS account.

This technology is being made available to CANBOX customers by TCS, a key architect of wireless messaging software. TCS is a leading provider of CDMA messaging and supports connections to more than 70 wireless carriers.

A record 15 billion SMS text messages were sent over the world's wireless networks in December alone, according to the GSM Association, which monitors SMS usage. The figure indicates a five-fold increase in volume each month over the past year.

"SMS has become an integral part of people's lives--business and personal," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association. "An ever increasing raft of new applications, particularly information services, is likely to further boost take-up and usage. The GSM Association is already anticipating that by December 2001, we will be seeing monthly global SMS volumes achieve the 25 billion mark. And over 200 billion in total for 2001."

"Currently, the United States accounts for only a small percentage of global SMS usage," says Konstantin Schramm, CEO of CANBOX Systems. "However, usage will grow as companies such as TCS bridge the gap across existing incompatible wireless standards. Demand for SMS is growing rapidly in the U.S., and CANBOX customers can now take full advantage of this new technology. In Europe, CANBOX is currently one of the key players in the fast growing SMS broadcasting business. This is the first step toward a complete integration of SMS technology and Unified Messaging Services. Our relationship with TCS will enable us to quickly extend additional wireless services to clients not only in the U.S., but eventually throughout our worldwide customer base."

"We are very excited that CANBOX has chosen TCS to provide wireless messaging service to its unified messaging solution here in the U.S.," said William J. Todd, senior vice president of Business Development and Corporate Affairs for TCS. "TCS is actively working to help wireless carriers extend the intelligence within their network to let commercial enterprises, such as CANBOX, enhance their messaging services to the wireless world."

These services are available to all existing and new users of the CANBOX UMS service. For more information, please contact CANBOX USA at [phone].

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.

TCS is evolving wireless technology. As the key architect of wireless messaging and location technology, TCS is delivering essential software, services, and solutions to carriers that enable people to better manage their mobile lifestyle. TCS occupies a privileged position within the core of the wireless carrier network enabling it to develop technology that ensures the security, reliability and privacy of people's wireless messages.

Today, TCS is the preferred technology provider to carriers worldwide including Vodafone, Verizon Wireless, Telefonica and VoiceStream. Through its solutions group, TCS develops advanced applications that will continue to evolve the face of wireless messaging. Visit the web site at www.telecomsys.com.

For further information on TCS's Xypoint location platform, visit www.xypoint.com. Editors interested in testing TCS text messaging services, please visit www.webwirelessnow.com.

About CANBOX USA

CANBOX, USA is a leading worldwide provider of unified communications and virtual office solutions, with integrated offices in North America, Europe and Asia. CANBOX offered the first worldwide, unified messaging platform to be completely Internet-based. CANBOX offers a single point of communication in the form of one Internet message box. Its Unified Messaging Service offers users the ability to retrieve and send messages independent of time, location and device. The CANBOX platform is the technological basis for all products and services within its parent holding group, CANBOX Systems AG. More information is available at: www.canbox.com.