Openwave Debuts 3G Services

Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OPWV), the worldwide leader of open IP-based communications infrastructure software and applications, Monday (Jan 29) announced a comprehensive, flexible and seamless product architecture for packet-based GPRS (2.5G) and third-generation (3G) wireless networks for communication service providers worldwide.

Openwave’s next-generation strategy is an integral part of its Services OS, an IP-based software platform that enables communication service providers to rapidly deploy sophisticated information and communication services. Openwave also announced today that KDDI has selected the Openwave solution as the infrastructure of its next-generation network services rollout.

“Openwave is continuing its leadership and innovation in the wireless Internet space by defining for our customers the evolution to 2.5G and 3G services,” said Don Listwin, president and CEO of Openwave. “We are especially pleased to pioneer 3G wireless Internet services with KDDI in Japan. Our new technologies support the broad range of advanced Japanese content and services.”

Many Openwave customers are currently operating WAP-based mobile Internet services with second-generation networks. As networks evolve to 2.5G with the introduction of packet-based data services such as GPRS, as well as to 3G technologies, Openwave’s products will allow a modular migration path for service providers worldwide. Openwave’s next-generation product set will enable service providers to fully exploit the capabilities of new networks with the addition of multi-mode XHTML, WML, HDML and CHTML browsing support.

In addition, the next-generation products will feature full-color graphics, multimedia and advanced subscriber management capabilities, and will offer support for the next version of WAP. Openwave’s solution will allow carriers to retain their existing investment in content and infrastructure through full backward-compatibility with today’s mobile Internet services.

“Openwave’s products are a critical part of our strategy to bring third generation wireless multimedia services to KDDI subscribers in Japan,” said Tadashi Onodera, executive vice president at KDDI. “Openwave offers us the critical mass of technology and rapid time to market needed to get innovative services up and running quickly.”

The next version of WAP enables the convergence of the WAP specifications and the broader Internet. By taking advantage of enhancements in mobile devices and networks, the WAP 2.0 architecture supports XHTML, TCP and HTTP. Use of XHTML, the next-generation of HTML from the W3C, will enable web developers to create applications in a single markup language, for delivery to PC and WAP browsers. These technologies are expected to be in the market in 2001.

Openwave Systems Inc., the combination of Phone.com and Software.com, is headquartered in Redwood City, California.