WorldCom adds wireless messaging; Leading Notes public network provider teams with Motorola and ARDIS to bring wireless messaging to the Notes and cc:Mail communities

Business Wire, Sept 18, 1996

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 1996--WorldCom, a Lotus Notes public network provider, announced the beta of its wireless messaging service for Notes and cc:Mail at this week's Networld Interop conference in Atlanta.

WorldCom is one of the first public networks to integrate wireless messaging with Notes and cc:Mail.

The WorldCom wireless messaging solution complements the network's extensive corporate service model by offering a wide area, real time messaging solution to executives, field sales agents and other traveling users, all of whom rely on messaging to relay time sensitive information.

"Our service model has long been devoted to enabling business to make the most of Lotus' powerful messaging and groupware technologies. By leveraging WorldCom for their wireless communications, corporations can provide their executives with crucial messaging flexibility without making extensive investments in additional network infrastructure," said Eric Sachs, vice president of research and development for WorldCom.

WorldCom's wireless messaging solution is the result of collaboration between Motorola, ARDIS and WorldCom. Motorola developed AirMobile(TM) Wireless Software for cc:Mail and AirMobile(TM) Wireless Software for Note -- wireless communications applications that enable mobile users to communicate remotely and cost-effectively with their LAN-based cc:Mail or Notes mail servers.

ARDIS operates the nation's first and largest, two-way wireless communications network. WorldCom provides the extensive Notes networking expertise to integrate the wireless solution into global Notes deployments.

"WorldCom's extensive corporate service model, combined with AirMobile(TM) software's immediate wireless access to information, provides a powerful solution for the mobile corporate workforce.

"We look forward to the opportunity to work with WorldCom to bring wireless connectivity to the Notes and cc:Mail communities," said Jerry Upton, director and general manger, AirMobile(TM) Software Products, Motorola.

Currently WorldCom offers wireless support over the ARDIS network. The ARDIS network provides extensive nationwide coverage in the top 410 metropolitan areas in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with speeds up to 19.2 Kbps in selected markets.

This enables executives and mobile workers to wirelessly access their corporate information systems or communicate instantaneously with their peers from virtually any location.

"By wirelessly enabling Notes Mail and cc:Mail, we can add significant value to millions of Notes and cc:Mail users today -- making them truly mobile and more productive," said Dan Croft, senior vice president, marketing operations at ARDIS. "We are committed to continue to deliver wireless mainstream business applications."

Wireless messaging has been in beta for four months. WorldCom plans to make the service commercially available in the fourth quarter of 1996, and continues to investigate connectivity options over other wireless networks to provide even greater flexibility for its clients in the near future.

WorldCom is the international network for Lotus Notes users, wholly owned by Wolf Communications, which is based in Houston, Texas. Companies use WorldCom to connect multiple offices worldwide, to exchange e-mail, to share public or corporate databases, to access the Internet and publish from Lotus Notes on the World Wide Web.

WorldCom offers 24 hour a day, seven days a week technical support. WorldCom is a Lotus Premium Partner and won the Beacon Award for Outstanding Customer Focus at Lotusphere 1995.

In addition to dedicated or dial-up X.25 access via Scitor, companies also can connect to WorldCom over 1-800 numbers in North America, the Internet and frame relay.

Established in October 1992, the WorldCom network has been commercially available since Jan. 1, 1994. For more information on WorldCom, call 713/650-6522 or send e-mail to info@worldcom.com. Access the WorldCom home page at http://www.worldcom.com.

Lotus and Lotus Notes are registered trademarks and Notes is a trademark of Lotus Development Corp.

CONTACT: Vollmer Public Relations

Renee Catacalos/Terry Balluck, 713/216-2230

or

Wolf Communications

Shala Phillips, 713/650-6522 ext. 2224

Networld Booth No. 3716 Hall D,

Pedestal No. 23 (Lotus Pavilion)