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Ztango
and Gemplus Announce Wireless Media Services' Distribution Agreement
Companies to Leverage SIM-Based Solution for the Delivery
of Wireless Media
LAS VEGAS, NV - October 17th, 2002 - Ztango, Inc., a leading wireless
media and entertainment downloadables' provider, today announced a sales
distribution agreement with Gemplus (NASDAQ: GEMP), the world's leading
provider of smart card solutions, to provide innovative media download
services that are empowered by SIM technology.
Under the agreement, the Gemplus Operation Center will facilitate distribution
of Ztango's one-of-a-kind ring tones, screen savers and graphics to carriers
utilizing Gemplus' OTA (over the air) initialization services. The ring
tones, which include a variety of pop, rock, dance, classical, television
and movie melodies, can be both ordered and delivered directly to the
subscribers' wireless device via the secure SIM card. As part of the new
Gemplus/Ztango SIM-based media offering, consumers will have access to
more than 3,000 ring tone and graphic media elements directly from their
wireless devices.
"By integrating rich media elements into our service offering, Gemplus
will be able to continue to help operators reduce churn and increase ARPU
by offering increased value to their customers," said Philippe Vallee,
president of telecommunications business unit, Gemplus. "As the Number
One provider of smart cards worldwide, Gemplus looks forward to exciting
opportunities with an established wireless media player like Ztango."
"Ztango is always on the lookout for innovative technical solutions
that simplify the wireless users' ability to access and download rich
and varied content," said Vernon Poyner, chief executive officer,
Ztango, Inc. "This agreement allows both companies to leverage respective
technology strengths and will enable us to dominate the wireless media
marketplace."
About Ztango
Ztango is a leading provider of wireless media and entertainment services.
By leveraging its integrated Mobile Image software solution, network operations
and customer care center; Ztango manages the complexities of wireless
media service implementation and support. Ztango customers include: AT&T
Wireless, Motorola, Triton PCS, TeleCorp PCS, West Virginia Wireless and
Telecom Italia Mobile. Ztango's end-to-end solution approach delivers
today's wireless media solutions while helping customers chart a roadmap
for new wireless media offerings that incorporate new technologies and
standards. Ztango is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. For more information,
visit www.ztango.com
or call +1 703 437 4422.
About Gemplus
GEMPLUS: the world's leading provider of smart card solutions.
Gemplus helps its clients offer an exceptional range of portable, personalized
solutions that bring security and convenience to people's lives. These
include mobile internet access, inter-operable banking facilities, e-commerce
and a wealth of other applications. Gemplus is the only completely dedicated,
truly global player in the Smart Card industry, with the largest R&D
team, unrivalled experience, and an outstanding track record of technological
innovation. In 2001, Gemplus was the worldwide smart card leader in both
revenues and total smart card shipments (source: Gartner-Dataquest, Frost
& Sullivan, BNP Paribas). Gemplus was also awarded 2002 Frost &
Sullivan Market Value Award for its exceptional performance.
Gemplus trades its shares on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on the
NASDAQ Stock Market as GEMP in the form of ADSs. Its revenue in
2001 was 1 billion Euros.
Gemplus: Beyond Smart www.gemplus.com
For further information please contact:
Gemplus
Kerry Butler
Gemplus, Inc.
Tel: +1-(215)-390-2840
Email: kerry.butler@gemplus.com
Ztango
Adrian McAloon
Ztango, Inc.
Tel: +1-(703)-981-8932
Email: adrian.mcaloon@ztango.com
©2002 Gemplus All rights reserved. Gemplus
and the Gemplus logo are trademarks and service marks of Gemplus S.A.
and are registered in certain countries. All other trademarks and service
marks, whether registered or not in specific countries, are the property
of their respective owners. Java and Java Card are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
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