Verizon Wireless Deploys InphoMatch Platform To Manage Inter-Carrier Text Messaging Traffic.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

BEDMINSTER, N.J. & CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2002

Largest U.S. Wireless Carrier Launches Inter-carrier Short Message

Service, InphoMatch Continues to Expand its Dominance

in U.S. SMS Market

Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading provider of wireless communications and Internet services, announced that it has selected InphoMatch, the leading provider of inter-carrier messaging solutions for global wireless telecommunications operators, to manage its inter-carrier messaging traffic.

InphoXchange, InphoMatch's Short Message Service (SMS) interoperability platform enables Verizon Wireless' customers to send and receive text messages with customers of most other major wireless carriers. This enhancement to Verizon Wireless' text message service became operational on April 1.

"Verizon Wireless' launch completes an enormous part of the interoperability puzzle," explained InphoMatch president and CEO Colin Matthews. "Our initial SMS interoperability results indicate that the domestic text messaging environment is poised for massive market acceleration. We have seen the U.S. growth rate for inter-carrier text traffic running ahead of what Europe experienced when it was introduced there."

InphoMatch said that it currently processes more than 1 million inter-carrier text messages every day for American mobile phone users, and reports that inter-carrier SMS totals are doubling each month in the U.S. The Chantilly, Virginia-based firm believes that Verizon Wireless will be a big component of future growth and adoption of inter-carrier SMS.

"In addition to InphoMatch's proven technology, expertise, and solid experience in other world markets, we selected their platform because it enables us to enhance our text messaging services for our customers in a way that is both technologically agnostic and cost-efficient," said Jim Straight, V.P. Wireless Data & Internet Services, Verizon Wireless "As the largest wireless carrier we are positioned to make the biggest impact in the growing SMS market, and we believe InphoMatch provides us the engine to deliver on that potential."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications and Internet services. The company has the largest nationwide wireless network and 29 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).

Reporters and editors can find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

About InphoMatch

InphoMatch is the leading provider of inter-carrier messaging solutions for global wireless telecommunications operators. The company's flagship service, InphoXchange, enables U.S. carriers--for the first time--to offer their subscribers the capability to exchange short text messages with subscribers on any other network in the country.

InphoMatch's patented technology eliminates the cross-carrier barrier for more than 700 million mobile devices on more than 400 wireless carriers worldwide.

Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, privately held InphoMatch has partnered with institutional investor Draper Atlantic Management Company, LLC. Delivering economic value to carriers and enterprises and convenience to consumers, InphoMatch sets the standard in messaging technology. For more information, please visit the company's Website at http://www.inphomatch.com/.