Mforma Acquires nGame; Merger Creates Industry's Most Comprehensive Mobile Data Solution and Largest Supplier of Content, Outside Japan.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002 Mforma, the world leader in wireless data development tools, platforms and content, announced today that it has acquired nGame Limited of the UK. nGame is an industry leading aggregator of wireless gaming and entertainment content. The new combined company, now called the Mforma Group, is the world's largest wireless content distributor outside Japan and the first and only company to offer wireless carriers a single source for content of any kind. The nGame acquisition is the fifth by Mforma, who continues to evaluate additional acquisition targets in its mission to consolidate the best technology, tools, and content in the wireless data industry. The new Mforma Group has revenue-generating relationships with over 40 of the world's leading carriers who serve 90 percent of wireless subscribers in the U.S. and 70 percent of wireless subscribers in Europe. In the U.S and Europe, Mforma has generated an industry-leading 50 million game transactions across its customer base. Customers include Cingular Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, owns and operates the second largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, based on total wireless customers. , Telefonica, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, Sprint PCS (1) (Personal Communications Services) Refers to wireless services that emerged after the U.S. government auctioned commercial licenses in 1994 and 1995. This radio spectrum in the 1. , Nextel, Alltel, Telstra, Telus, Bell Mobility, Airtel Movil, Omnitel, Radiolinja, Smart Communications Smart Communications, Inc. commonly known as "SMART", is the wholly-owned mobile phone subsidiary of PLDT. With over 25 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-February 2007, equivalent to approximately 58 percent market share. , Globe Telecom. Mforma's content catalog contains an array of over 250 of the most compelling pieces of content, selected from over 300 leading content developers in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Content available includes the widest variety of SMS (1) (Storage Management System) Software used to routinely back up and archive files. See HSM. (2) (Systems Management Server) Systems management software from Microsoft that runs on Windows NT Server. , MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) An enhanced transmission service that enables graphics, video clips and sound files to be transmitted via cellphones. Developed as part of the 3GPP project, MMS phones are generally backward compatible with SMS and EMS. , WAP (1) (Wireless Access Point) See access point. (2) (Wireless Application Protocol) A standard for providing cellular phones, pagers and other handheld devices with secure access to e-mail and text-based Web pages. and Java games in the world, as well as directory service, location services See mobile positioning. , weather, general news, and information. "The combination of Mforma and nGame represents an excellent opportunity to truly monetize the wireless data market," said Jerry Rocha, senior manager of strategic partnerships for Cingular Wireless. "As Java becomes more widespread, the ability of Mforma to streamline the delivery of new revenue-generating services to end users will help us achieve our objectives for wireless data." "Our goal is to give carriers and content developers the best possible opportunity to be successful," said Daniel Kranzler, chairman of Mforma Group. "Mforma gives content suppliers the ability to reach virtually every carrier and their subscribers through a single relationship, and gives carriers instant access to virtually any content at substantial savings. The tools and technology offered by Mforma make the content play on any network in any format. Now, carriers can deliver wireless data as originally envisioned, without the huge investment in systems and personnel that caused earlier WAP implementations to be less than successful." According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Edward Nugent of Mobile Metrix, a mobile internet Refers to gaining access to the Internet using a lightweight, handheld device. See Mobile IP, PDA, smartphone and mobile TV. research and consulting firm, "Mforma Group are placing themselves in a position to be one of the few global leaders among providers of mobile applications and content. Some of the best opportunities in mobile internet now present themselves and acquisition is the way to go in order to increase footprint and achieve economies of scope and scale in order to be well-positioned when mobile service usage increases. This is illustrated in a recent Mobile Metrix report, which analyses the leading global mobile application and content providers. Mforma have been rated highly in all our analyses and the report especially points out the Mforma partnership program, which enables Mforma to increase its channels to market while improving its product portfolio." "With the emergence of Java, MMS, and advanced networks, which will provide users with services they really need and will value, the industry has a clear opportunity to be successful delivering wireless data," said John Brimacombe, president and COO of Mforma Group and former CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of nGame. "New compelling content is now available and more is on the way. Mforma Group is uniquely positioned to provide a real solution to the industry -- we have the content, we have the technology, and we have the relationships with content suppliers -- everything carriers need to be successful." Mforma Group maintains development and support centers in both the U.S. and in Europe and has representatives around the world. About Mforma Group Mforma delivers the most comprehensive mobile data solution in the industry, providing carriers and their customers with the world's best content, and providing content developers with the shortest route to market. The Mforma Mserver Platform is the industry's first independent, open application development platform. It enables wireless service providers to offer premium entertainment, location, and information services See Information Systems. that can be easily accessed by users from any device while receiving a rich and satisfying mobile wireless experience. The Mforma Software Development Kit enables developers to create applications that work across multiple protocols including SMS, Voice, WAP, CHTML (Compact HTML) A subset of HTML for cellphones and PDAs. Developed by NTT Docomo for its i-Mode wireless system in Japan, cHTML is designed for the limited screen displays and functionality of handheld devices. , iMode, J2ME (Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition) A version of Java 2 for cellphones, PDAs and consumer appliances. J2ME uses the K Virtual Machine (KVM), a specialized Java interpreter for devices with limited memory. and BREW. The Mforma Developer Program offers application developers the tools and services to expedite time-to-market and revenue generation. When working with Mforma, wireless operators can choose to utilize any or all of the Mforma resources -- tools, platforms, and/or content. Mforma is a private company, founded in April 2001 and based in Kirkland, Washington. Please visit www.mforma.com. |
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