Nieuwegein, Netherlands, and Cannes, France, 21 February 2001 - Cisco Systems Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, and CMG Wireless Data Solutions, a worldwide leader in Mobile Messaging infrastructure, today announced an alliance to deliver a best-of-breed, end-to-end, Unified Messaging (UM) solution to mobile carriers worldwide. Utilising Cisco's expertise in IP-based messaging and CMG's strength in Mobile Messaging, the two companies will deliver enhanced UM applications to mobile carriers today, and jointly develop and deliver new unified communications (UC) applications for the mobile market in the future.

The alliance between Cisco and CMG will see the integration of Cisco's uOne unified communications software platform with CMG's Mobile E-mail solution. Through this non-exclusive agreement, the parties will provide mobile operators with a tightly integrated and highly scalable UM service that enables them to cost-effectively strengthen their relationships with customers, and differentiate themselves from competitors through enhanced applications and value-added services. End-users of the joint Cisco / CMG UM solution will benefit through improved productivity and responsiveness by being able to combine e-mail, voice and fax messages into a single, common mailbox accessible by any device, from fixed-line or mobile phone to PC e-mail client, regardless of location, time or media type.

Ovum Research, an independent research and analyst firm, predicts that by the year 2007, there will be 218 million UM subscribers worldwide, generating $31 billion in UM services revenue. CMG, which holds a majority of the market share for the GSM SMS market, and Cisco, will help mobile carriers take advantage of this market opportunity through their end-to-end UM solution that provides true mobility to end-users.

"Cisco and CMG are working together to help mobile operators take advantage of both their existing wireless data networks and transition to IP-enhanced communications," said Massimo Migliuolo, Vice President Worldwide Mobile & EMEA Cable Operations, Cisco Systems. "Cisco's uOne unified communications software platform, in conjunction with CMG's Mobile E-Mail solution, will offer mobile operators a unique, unified messaging solution that addresses the needs of their customers today and will provide future enhanced unified communications services as the market evolves."

Based on open standards, the architectural framework of the Cisco / CMG UM solution will enable the two companies to evolve the current UM offering into an end-to-end UC solution to meet the maturing business and market needs of the mobile marketplace. By adding real-time call management and calling services to UM, unified communications represents the next step for mobile operators and end-users as it provides them with enhanced services for managing and responding to all types of messages in real-time, including real-time inbound and outbound call management capabilities, content delivery services and transaction services.

Geert Kolthof, CMG's Vice President Mobile Internet, added: "Today CMG Wireless Data Solutions has a leading position in Mobile E-mail with customers like Sonera. Through this alliance with Cisco, we are able to offer our customers Voice over IP access to their Mobile E-mail solution. Herewith end-users will utilise a single communications platform to manage and respond to messages received in any format, from any device."

"Cisco has teamed up with CMG, a company that is recognised worldwide for its mobile messaging infrastructure, to deliver a fully integrated and truly Unified Messaging solution," said David Kirk, Senior Vice President for the Cisco Internet Communications Software Group. "Together, we look forward to developing next-generation unified communications solutions that will further enhance this growing mobile market."

The CMG/Cisco UM solution integrates software and hardware components from CMG and Cisco including:

• CMG Mobile E-mail - an open, standards-based, carrier-class solution that offers mobile access and Internet access to the personal message store via SMS, WAP and Web. Users are notified on their mobile phone for all types of incoming messages in a personalised manner. The solution provides full integration of provisioning, billing and network management of all UM components.

• Cisco's uOne unified communications software platform, an open, scalable, IP-based solution that provides advanced, unified messaging for e-mail and fax and has the capability to provide advanced unified communications, including IP communication services across multiple types of networks and devices layered with real-time call management capabilities that allow subscribers to respond to e-mail, fax, or voice messages with a real-time connection to the sender.

• Cisco Access Server Products - the Cisco AS5x00/Voice Gateway Family, including the award-winning Cisco dial-up remote access server and voice-over-IP (VoIP) gateway.

• Seamless integration with CMG's Short Message Service Centre (SMSC), Wireless Service Broker and EPPIX Customer Care and Billing solutions.