Experian Creates Advanced Information Management Tools

Online Product News, May, 2001

Arch Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARCH), Westborough, Mass., one of the leading wireless Internet messaging and mobile information providers in the United States, has announced a new database management and marketing program designed to help promote Arch's growing line-up of two-way wireless messaging services. The program, which uses advanced information management tools developed by Experian, a leading provider of global information solutions, allows Arch to gain a broader understanding of its sizable customer base and through that knowledge develop more efficient sales and marketing strategies.

In the program's initial phase, which was recently completed, Experian provided Arch with the capability to capture, store and analyze detailed customer data. In the second phase, Experian is providing Arch with the tools to segment its data according to individual consumer, business customer and industry, giving Arch a clearer picture of its customer base. By applying analytical tools to this segmented database, Arch is able to identify likely adopters of its advanced messaging services, as well as behavioral trends that impact customer retention. The information also will help Arch determine its industry penetration rates, and identify two-way messaging sales opportunities and potential application development needs for specific vertical industries.

"We believe there are numerous one-way users in our customer base who are ideal candidates for two-way services," said Brigette White, vice president, strategic acquisition and retention for Arch. "With this new database management program we can now better identify and proactively reach out to them. Similarly,' White added, "Arch already has high penetration rates in many industries that we think would greatly benefit from the additional functionality of two-way messaging. With this enhanced understanding of our customers, we can take a laser-like approach to marketing two-way services by spending our time and resources more wisely with a greater chance of success. Experian's information management program is a strategic asset that will help us grow our two-way messaging and wireless mobile data business."

The final phase of the program -- scheduled through the balance of 2001 -- Arch will implement new marketing plans based on detailed customer information, and develop new applications for specific industries.

Steve Gross, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Arch, commented, "Two-way and, in particular, Internet-based services comprise a very significant part of Arch's business strategy. Learning to fully utilize our customer database should assist in our efforts to obtain additional advanced messaging customers and higher average revenue per unit. This new ability to tap into our substantial customer database provides Arch an enormous amount of potentially powerful data that we intend to use to better serve our customers and advance our long-term advanced messaging strategy."

Keith Blue, vice president of business development of Experian's Integrated Solutions business unit, said, "Experian is excited to work with Arch Wireless to help them realize the large potential of their current customer database. Experian is recognized as a leader in providing companies with the tools to develop a complete 360 degree view of their customers. By working closely with Arch, we hope to be able to increase the efficiency of their marketing efforts and enable them to improve customer relationships."

About Experian

Experian is an information solutions company. It uses the power of information to help its clients target prospective customers, manage existing customer relationships and identify opportunities for profitable growth. Through multi-channel delivery of its Web-based products and services, Experian enables its clients to conduct secure and profitable e-business. Experian is a subsidiary of The Great Universal Stores PLC and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK and Orange, Calif. Its 12,000 employees support clients in more than 50 countries. Annual sales are about $1.5 billion. For more information, visit the company's Web site on www.experian.com.

About Arch Wireless

Arch Wireless, Inc., headquartered in Westborough, MA, is a leading two- way wireless Internet messaging and mobile information company with operations throughout the United States. The company offers a full range of wireless messaging services, including wireless e-mail, two-way mobile data, and paging. It provides local, regional and nationwide wireless services to customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and in the Caribbean.

For more information, visit http://www.arch.com or call 508-870-6771.