New Palm VII Connected Organizer Features Power of Nationwide BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — December 3, 1998 — The Palm VII(TM) connected organizer, the wirelessly enabled product introduced yesterday by 3Com's Palm Computing division, will be powered exclusively by the nationwide BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network from BellSouth Wireless Data.
The revolutionary, two-way Palm VII organizer will feature a ground- breaking feature network innovation, Wireless Subscription Management (WSM), which was unveiled yesterday by BellSouth Wireless Data in conjunction with the product's launch. WSM for the first time will allow those who purchase wirelessly-enabled devices to select service options and activate their device on the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network right out of the box. The Palm VII organizer is the first device ever to employ this technological advancement.
The new Palm VII organizer, expected to be available in 1999, is the most advanced addition to its successful family of Palm Computing(R) platform products. The Palm VII organizer, in addition to its personal information management (PIM)/organizer functions, will provide users with fast, secure and easy access to Internet e-mail and important information on the World Wide Web through Palm's new Palm.Net(TM) service, which will run on the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network.
Mark Bercow, vice president, strategic alliances and platform development for Palm Computing, said, "Our requirements included seamless, nationwide coverage, a high degree of reliability and the ability to deliver information and messages in a matter of seconds rather than minutes. There was one obvious choice — BellSouth Wireless Data's Intelligent Wireless Network. BellSouth Wireless Data was the only company that could deliver to our specifications and achieve our goals with Wireless Subscription Management."
"This is a partnership of market leaders that will combine the world-class reputation and success of the Palm Computing platform with the power of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network," said William F. Lenahan, president and CEO of Woodbridge, N.J.-based BellSouth Wireless Data, a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation. "The Palm VII and the Intelligent Wireless Network bring two-way wireless data to the mainstream consumer marketplace for the first time with its out-of-the-box solution. This represents a giant step forward for mobile professionals seeking fast, reliable and secure delivery of messages and Internet content in a single device.
"Our innovative WSM will make the Palm VII even more attractive to consumers because it will ensure that consumers have a seamless experience right from the time they purchase the product," Lenahan said. "Because of WSM, only Palm VII users have the power to turn on their wireless service immediately right from the palm of their hand."
WSM is an enhancement to the Intelligent Wireless Network designed by BellSouth Wireless Data. It eliminates the need for users to fill out lengthy forms or call or visit service providers to have their devices activated. With the Palm VII organizer, users simply raise the antenna, enter billing and credit card or purchase order information and within a few minutes, the device is activated on BellSouth and the Palm.Net service.
BellSouth Wireless Data worked closely with Palm Computing in the development, testing and quality assurance of WSM, and has made a significant investment in the design, engineering and implementation of network enhancements to ensure seamless integration of this new feature.
About the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network
The BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network combines the power of its core Mobitex network with its ability to connect with other complementary networks and offer multiple host connectivity options, providing the most advanced and robust wireless data communications service available today. The Intelligent Wireless Network's connections with complementary networks — including satellite, circuit switched cellular and the public-switched communications network — allow companies to cover 100 percent of their mobile workforces in the U.S.
About BellSouth Wireless Data
BellSouth Wireless Data, L.P., headquartered in Woodbridge, N.J., is an expert in providing proven wireless data communications solutions that eliminate the barriers between critical information and mobile users. The company, a winner of the prestigious Sears Innovation Source of the Year and Partners in Progress awards for 1997, delivers a competitive advantage and increases personal productivity for aggressive, innovative companies and individuals leveraging communications technologies to meet their strategic goals. BellSouth Wireless Data operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93 percent of the urban business population located in 266 metropolitan areas with a total population of 200 million people.
BellSouth Wireless Data is a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation, which provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing, video, Internet and information services to nearly 30 million customers in 20 countries worldwide.
SOURCE BellSouth Wireless Data
Palm Computing are registered trademarks, and Palm VII is a trademark, of 3Com Corp.
CONTACT:
Al Stern of BellSouth Wireless Data, 732-602-5547, or astern@bellsouthwd.com