Motorola Unveils its Mobile Networks Integration Technology
NEW YORK — April 28, 1993 — In a move to connect today's dozens of incompatible wireless and wireline networks and enable easy data transfer among dissimilar mobile and fixed computing/communicating devices worldwide, Motorola Inc.'s (NYSE: MOT) Paging and Wireless Data Group (PWDG) today unveiled its Mobile Networks Integration technology. About a dozen industry leaders were on hand at today's briefing to endorse this technology.
With the introduction of this technology, the current complexities of wireless and wireline network integration should be reduced to a procedure as simple as dialing the telephone. Seamless data transfer (and eventually multimedia transfer) among computing/communicating devices and across networks should be completely transparent to the end-user — just as phone calls that cross local and long distance carriers' networks are today.
This open systems software architecture will be licensed to private and public wireless/wireline data network operators, application developers and manufacturers of computing/communicating devices and infrastructure equipment.
"While wireless networks and devices to date have been targeted at vertical markets such as field operations, Motorola's Mobile Networks Integration technology is designed to make easy-to-use, universal mobile communications a reality for the mass market," said Robert L. Growney, executive vice president of Motorola Inc. and general manager of the Paging and Wireless Data Group.
"Motorola's technology overcomes the incompatibilities and difficulties inherent in using today's wireless and wireline data communications equipment and facilities. It provides the foundation for transferring information universally, reliably and in real time, while shielding the user from the complex technology required to transmit information," Growney concluded.
What Comprises This Technology?
Motorola's Mobile Networks Integration technology consists of software, which when coupled with switching hardware, will form an intelligent data gateway that handles the routing and delivery of messages, information such as user preferences (for a particular network or class of service, etc.), billing and settlement information and directory services.
The software includes a tool kit and a common, easy-to-use Application Programming Interface (API). These components should significantly reduce the time required for network operators and application developers to design and code an application for each network or device platform on which their software will run. Similarly, the API should allow computing/communicating device and infrastructure equipment manufacturers to design their hardware to run on all networks or with all software packages enabled by this technology.
How Will This Technology be Deployed?
Computing/communicating device and infrastructure equipment manufacturers who license Motorola's Mobile Networks Integration technology will integrate the software within their equipment. Application developers who license Motorola's technology will provide Mobile Networks Integration technology-enabled software bundled with third-party applications. First-time users of any technology-enabled device will then simply key in the over-the-air sign-up application, obtain a personal ID and automatically connect to any wireless or wireline network. Utility software will be made available for existing devices that lack embedded software.
The end-user could have the option of receiving a single bill from one of the service providers offering this technology, regardless of the number of networks used to transmit information.
Deployment Timeline
Motorola's Mobile Networks Integration technology is currently in beta test with several customers. During 1993, it should be deployed as follows:
— Functional Demonstration June
— Field Testing with Selected End-Users July
— Product Announcement Q3
— Operational Service for Beta Customers Q4
Mobile Networks Integration Technology Endorsers
The following companies are the early endorsers of Motorola's Mobile Networks Integration technology:
— Alliance Systems Inc., a leader in the development of quality, fault-tolerant mobile data network systems and application software solutions;
— ARDIS, the largest wireless data network service provider in the United States;
— Bell ARDIS, the leading wireless data network service provider in Canada;
— BT North America Inc., a world-leading supplier of global communications solutions;
— Complex Architectures Inc., a leading software developer and system integrator specializing in integration tools for distributed applications running on disparate computing platforms;
— General Magic Inc., designer and developer of the Magic Cap operating platform and Telescript language for personal intelligent communicators;
— Mobile Telecommunications Technologies Corp. (MTEL), a worldwide provider of telecommunications services, including SkyTel. The company is currently developing a nationwide wireless network (NWN);
— PSION Plc, world-leading U.K.-based manufacturer of portable computing and communicating devices;
— Radio Frequency Data Network Systems Inc., a leading designer and developer of software for radio frequency data solutions;
— RAM Mobile Data, a world-leading wireless data network service provider;
— Systemhouse Inc., one of the largest systems integration and outsourcing organizations in the world; and
— Tandem Computers Inc., the leader in online transaction processing, fault tolerance and continuous availability in systems and enterprise networks.
Motorola's Paging and Wireless Data Group incorporates the company's business activities involved in the design, manufacturing and distribution of paging and wireless data communications products, systems and services for computer companies, carriers and end-users. The Group also manages Motorola's share of ARDIS, the data network jointly owned with IBM.
Motorola Inc., headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., is one of the world's leading manufacturers of electronic equipment, systems and components for worldwide markets. Additional products include two-way radios, cellular telephones and systems, integrated circuits and discrete semiconductors, defense and aerospace electronics, automotive and industrial electronic equipment and information processing and handling equipment. Revenues in 1992 were $13.3 billion.
Benjamin Group at 408-559-6090, or fax 408-559-6188.
CONTACT:
Mario Salvadori of Motorola, 708-632-2477;
or
Tricia Cleary or Paula Larson of The Benjamin Group, 408-559-6090, for Motorola