Centigram Communications Completes Interoperability Testing of Short Message Service Center In the Lucent Technologies Wireless Innovation Lab.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 1999--

Charter Member In Cooperative Innovations(SM) Affiliates Program

Sees Success in New Open-Standards Value-Added Service 

Centigram Communications Corporation, (NASDAQ: CGRM), a leading global provider of wireless and wireline messaging and communications solutions, today announced the completion of interoperability testing of its new Centigram Short Message Service Center in the Lucent Technologies' Wireless Innovation Lab (NYSE: LU). Located in Lisle, Illinois, the Wireless Innovation Lab tests vendor products for interoperability with the Lucent wireless network infrastructure. The facility houses a full-fledged telecommunications network for testing and fine-tuning new applications before they are deployed commercially.

The Centigram Short Message Service Center (C-SMSC) is a software-only solution that enables carriers to cost-effectively deliver SMS-based mobile data services. It is used by wireless carriers and service providers to deliver Internet and real-time data, such as email, stock updates, weather, sports scores, traffic reports and message/fax notification directly to the mobile user's handset. Unlike SMS systems that require dedicated hardware, C-SMSC works with Centigram's Series 6 platform, enabling existing Centigram customers to offer SMS-based services through a software upgrade. The new system runs on the same Series 6 platform as VoiceMemo and uses all the existing SS7 connectivity, other interfaces and OMAP functions available on the platform. C-SMSC is compatible with all major wireless networks and standards deployed worldwide, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

"Centigram's relationship with the Wireless Innovation Lab has once again helped us to rapidly deliver our differentiating features to Lucent's carrier customers," said Bob Puette, President and CEO of Centigram. "As a software-only solution, the Centigram Short Message Service Center is a very cost-effective way of deploying Short Messaging Service. It's always a pleasure to work with the dedicated professionals at the Wireless Innovation Lab, and we look forward to collaborating with them again in the future to advance open-source telecommunications services for our mobile carrier customers."

The testing was carried out as part of the Cooperative Innovations Program under an agreement between Lucent and Centigram signed in July 1997, which reinforces both companies' commitment to systems inter-operability and open industry standards. The Cooperative Innovations Program seeks to expand and advance the wireless telecommunications industry by aiding developers in creating and delivering new wireless solutions for the expanding mobile market. Centigram has tested several enhanced services products through the program, including VoiceMemo, PageMemo, FaxMemo, Mailbox on Demand, Prepaid, and OneNumber Services. All applications marketed through the Cooperative Innovations program are tested for compatibility with Lucent's wireless infrastructure equipment, and marketed and sold to Lucent's carrier clients around the world.

"As a charter member in the Cooperative Innovations Program, Centigram has been supporting our efforts to enrich our wireless networks with a choice of revenue-generating messaging services," said Joe Coletta, cellular and PCS product management director with Lucent's Wireless Networks Group. "C-SMSC offers carriers a simple messaging solution for new, value-added services. And with multiple language integration and intelligent message redelivery, C-SMSC has the types of innovative features some of our customers are demanding."

Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies supplies mobile and fixed wireless communications systems that offer global service providers standards-based solutions for serving the information needs of consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., Lucent designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit the company's Web site at http://www.lucent.com

Centigram Communications Corporation

Centigram Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: CGRM) is a leading global provider of advanced wireless (analog, GSM, PCS, TDMA, CDMA) and wireline (PTTs, BOCs, service bureaus, independent telcos and cable telephony companies) messaging and communications solutions to network operators in the telecom service provider market. Centigram leverages its voice messaging, call processing and multimedia know-how to deliver easily configurable, integrated systems that provide competitive, revenue-generating enhanced services, minimizing the overall cost of ownership. The Company delivers these communications solutions by integrating voice and facsimile on its Series 6 communications server based on industry-standard hardware and software, and by providing access to this multimedia information through a telephone, PC or other wireless device. Centigram is headquartered at 91 East Tasman Drive, San Jose, Calif., 95134. Phone [phone], fax [phone], or Web http://www.centigram.com. Centigram has sales and support offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia.

Note to Editors: Centigram is a registered trademark of Centigram Communications Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.