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SUN MICROSYSTEMS AND BELLSOUTH WIRELESS DATA COLLABORATE TO OPEN THE BELLSOUTH INTELLIGENT WIRELESS NETWORKSM TO A BROAD RANGE OF NEW JAVATM TECHNOLOGY BASED WIRELESS SERVICES
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 Industry Leaders to Deliver End-To-End Solutions for Quick and Easy Development and Deployment of Cutting Edge Wireless Applications and Services NEW ORLEANS -- February 28, 2000 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. and BellSouth Wireless Data today announced their intent to develop an end-to-end architecture based on Sun technologies to facilitate development of JavaTM technology-based solutions for handheld wireless devices on the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network. Under the proposed initiative, Sun and BellSouth Wireless Data intend to work together to develop an-end to-end architecture based on Sun's Java technologies, its middleware and its backend servers. The envisioned architecture will enable third party developers to leverage their existing Java technology programming expertise and applications to simply and securely extend their solutions to a host of wireless devices via the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network. Additional collaborative efforts between the companies highlighting Java technology on the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network are expected later in the year. "Always on, always with you, wireless devices are destined to be the preferred method for accessing the Net, and that will open enormous opportunities in e-commerce and service delivery -- enormous opportunities for the world's 1.7 million Java software developers," said Edward J. Zander, president and chief operating officer, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Combining Sun's open end-to-end technologies and BellSouth's Intelligent Wireless Network will foster growth in the space, enabling the rapid and cost effective development of new applications and services to consumers and businesses." "Sun and BellSouth Wireless Data view themselves as facilitators that will work together to unlock the unlimited opportunities of wireless data for third party developers," said William F. Lenahan, president and chief executive officer of BellSouth Wireless Data. "Through this joining of forces, our companies intend to provide the infrastructure and easy access necessary to allow developers to create cutting edge applications for the marketplace. The fact that a standard platform such as Java is being used is a breakthrough for the wireless data industry. It will cut the time-to-market for personal wireless data applications because developers will be creating programs using a popular development environment that is secure and can be widely deployed." Sun's Java technology not only allows for device independence, but enables content providers to deliver a richer experience to the consumer. New services and applications can be dynamically downloaded via the network providing the end user with the ability to expand and customize their service thereby meeting their evolving needs, as well as providing the service provider with the opportunity to deliver additional revenue generating services. More than a dozen wireless industry manufacturers and service providers have licensed the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition, since its introduction in June 1999, to integrate into mobile telephones, two-way pagers and other wireless information devices such as connected organizers. The BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network is standards-based, and in addition to its core technology, offers connections with complementary networks and several host connectivity options. Based on the de facto international standard for wireless data communications, the core of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network provides extensive and seamless coverage nationwide, high reliability, low latency, industry-leading battery saving protocols and other key features. WAVE 2000 ConferenceThe development of Java technology-based applications for wireless handhelds enabled for the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network will be discussed in detail at WAVE 2000 -- the Wireless Alliances and Vision Exchange (formerly BellSouth Wireless Data Solutions Conference). WAVE 2000, being held March 13-15 at the Mission Valley Regional Convention Center in San Diego, will also feature a keynote address on Wednesday, March 15, by George Paolini, Vice President of Java Community Development for Sun. WAVE 2000 is an excellent opportunity for attendees to build alliances and exchange ideas with people and businesses that are focused on wireless data solutions. Attendees can also discover emerging business opportunities in wireless data and connect with partners who can help make them a reality. For more information, please go to http://www.bellsouthwd.com/wave2000. 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. BellSouth Wireless Data operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93 percent of the urban business population located in 492 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs with a total population of 200 million people. Recognized as the industry leader, the company was the recipient of several major awards during 1999 from such prestigious entities as Microsoft, PC Computing, Frost & Sullivan, Wireless Week and Mobile Insights. BellSouth Wireless Data is a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation. BellSouth Corporation provides telecommunications, wireless and wireless long distance communications, Internet and data services, advertising and publishing, and video and entertainment services to nearly 37 million customers in 20 countries worldwide. E-mail: Bellsouthwd.info@bellsouthwd.com. Web site address: www.bellsouthwd.com. About Sun Microsystems Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The ComputerTM -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to ".com" their businesses. With $13 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com. For more information:
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Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Java and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Netscape Navigator is a trademark or registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries.
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