Aether Systems Launches StatusQuote to Deliver Real-Time Financial Markets Information on Wireless Phones

Business Wire, Sept 18, 2000

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

OWINGS MILLS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2000

Nextel First to Deploy New Service; Free 90-Day Trial Available

Aether Systems, Inc., (Nasdaq: AETH), a leading provider of wireless data products and services, today announced the launch of StatusQuote(SM), a new service providing real-time financial information including quotes, alerts and watch list capability from the convenience of a web-enabled phone.

Nextel Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTL) is the first wireless carrier to offer the service.

StatusQuote is designed for investors who desire the most powerful market-tracking capabilities available on a web-enabled wireless phone. StatusQuote provides a complete suite of information and services to ensure that subscribers never miss important financial updates. StatusQuote allows users to:

-- Gain access to real-time quotes for any equity or market index

-- Create a watch list of the shares they want to monitor most closely

-- Track the latest market trends by monitoring the NYSE, NASDAQ and AMEX
exchanges

-- Set price alerts that will audibly notify users when market conditions meet
their pre-set criteria.

"In today's fast-paced financial world, informed investors need real-time information. A quote that is delayed 20 minutes doesn't help when the market has moved on without you," said Bill Hannon, General Manager of Financial Services for Aether. "StatusQuote provides anywhere, anytime access to real-time information from the convenience of a wireless phone."

StatusQuote is currently being offered as a free 90-day trial. This offer will end Dec. 10, 2000 after which time the service will be available for less than $10 per month. To sign up, visit https://statusquote.aethersystems.com.

Nextel has added StatusQuote to its Nextel Online(SM) Wireless Internet Service for business, which includes information and services in finance, news, shopping and travel.

"Aether was the ideal partner for us in bringing a real-time financial information service to our customers, which we view as an outstanding value-add to the Nextel Online Wireless Internet Service," said Greg Santoro, vice president web-based services.

StatusQuote complements Aether's diverse suite of real-time financial news and information products and services. Aether also offers MarketClip, which provides real-time quotes, news, charts, alerts and other features on a variety of Palm and RIM devices. The company has also developed and deployed real-time trading applications for brokerage leaders including Charles Schwab, National Discount Brokers and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.

About Aether Systems, Inc.

Aether Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data products and services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the ScoutWare(TM) family of products including the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software platform, and its network operations and customer care center, Aether seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services across a variety of industries and market segments in the United States and internationally. Please visit our web page at http://www.aethersystems.com

About Nextel Communications, Inc.

Nextel Communications Inc., headquartered in Reston, VA, and is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the United States covering thousands of communities across the United States. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 98 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The Nextel National Network offers a fully integrated wireless communications tool with digital cellular, text/numeric paging, wireless Internet access, and Nextel Direct Connect -- a digital two-way radio feature. In addition, through Nextel International, Inc., Nextel has wireless operations and investments in Canada, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, the Philippines, Peru, and Japan. Please visit our web page at http://www.nextel.com.