724 Solutions Announces Support for Xpress Audio Messaging to Non-MMS

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers
    3GSM World Congress 2005

    SANTA BARBARA, Calif. and CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2005--724 Solutions (NASDAQ:SVNX) (TSX:SVN), a leading provider of next-generation IP-based network and data services, today announced that its Multimedia Application Gateway (AGW) will provide support for Nokia's (NYSE:NOK) Xpress Audio Messaging, a new easy-to-use service based on multimedia messaging that allows consumers to send voice clips over-the-air. With 724's Multimedia Application Gateway, Xpress Audio Messaging is now available for any mobile device including both MMS ready and legacy handsets. 724 Solutions and Nokia are cooperatively demonstrating this new service at the 3GSM World Congress.
    "Our collaboration with Nokia will allow mobile network operators to capitalize on their existing infrastructure and installed base, while also adding sophisticated services to second and third generation mobile networks," said Michael Luna, 724 Solutions' Chief Technology Officer. "The 724 VoiceXML-based Audio Messaging architecture is a breakthrough for network operators seeking to offer differentiated messaging services to millions of subscribers."
    724's Application Gateway extends the reach of Nokia's Xpress Audio Messaging to any phone, allowing mobile operators immediate revenue opportunity with their entire base of subscribers. If an Xpress Audio Message is sent to a non-MMS capable handset, a notification with an access number is sent to those handsets as an SMS or WAP push message. Users can then retrieve their audio message by calling the Application Gateway and once logged in, users will be able to review, reply and forward their audio message.
    724's Audio Messaging architecture is built on open standards including VoiceXML. VoiceXML, the standard of choice for representing voice content on IP networks, allows for the logical separation of voice scripts from the actual hardware that records and plays voice, and utilizes standard web servers for the deployment of Web-based distributed voice applications. Additionally, by incorporating VoiceXML, 724 offers mobile network operators an extremely flexible services creation architecture, which can also be extended to support voice portal services that give end users the ability to access a variety of Web-based content on the same call made to check messages.
    For more information or to experience a demonstration, stop by 724's Hospitality Suites 1.40 and 1.41, located in Hall 2.

    About 724 Solutions

    724 Solutions (NASDAQ:SVNX) (TSX:SVN) delivers reliable, scalable technology and solutions that allow mobile network operators to rapidly deploy flexible and open next generation IP-based network and data services. Additionally, in conjunction with mobile operator partners, the company provides a series of actionable alerting solutions to enterprises to assist them in lowering operating costs and improving customer relationship management. 724 Solutions is a global company with development operations in Canada and Switzerland with its corporate office in Santa Barbara, California. For more information, visit www.724.com.

    Note to Editors: 724 Solutions is hosting two 3GSM hospitality suites, 1.40 and 1.41, located in Hall 2, Level 1.

--30--MTB/la*

CONTACT: 724 Solutions Kelly Lazarus, 805-884-8306 klazarus@724.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA FRANCE INTERNATIONAL EUROPE TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: 724 Solutions

Copyright Business Wire 2005