Toshiba Drives Mobile Communications Convergence With Plans for Voice-Data Wireless Platform

Business Wire, June 25, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

TECHXNY/PC Expo

Now in Development, Toshiba's Mobility Communications System

Will Enable Seamless Voice-Data Mobility

Across Multiple Communication Devices and Subnets

Further advancing its strategy to deliver mobility solutions, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS) today announced plans to introduce a mobility communications platform that will bring the convergence of data and voice connectivity to notebook PCs, PDAs and telephony devices.

Currently in development, Toshiba's Mobility Communications System (MCS) will give mobile users access to the same data and voice communications they currently enjoy in a fixed office setting, while they wirelessly roam throughout the corporate environment.

Slated for launch in the second quarter of 2003, MCS is built on Toshiba's Internet Technology Supporting Universal Mobile Operation (ITSUMO). Using ITSUMO, MCS will support seamless roaming throughout the business campus, as well as LAN-to-cellular roaming, while accessing important data such as e-mail or, for example, ERP system information, as well as voice-over-IP communications.

The ITSUMO platform also provides MCS with true voice-over-WLAN capabilities by extending PBX functions while providing business class voice Quality of Service.

For example, a business user sitting in the office will be able to take a call through the wireless network, then move to the next meeting across campus, continuing the call en route. While in the meeting, he can use his PDA to access e-mail and voice mail to keep up-to-the-minute, all with MCS.

"Today, we use our wireless phones, notebook PCs and PDAs discretely -- tomorrow, MCS will deliver the true convergence of these devices to better meet the mobile communications needs of the business world," said Chris Harrington, vice president of strategy and business development at TAIS.

"With Toshiba's capabilities in computing and telecommunications, as well as our ITSUMO technology development, we are uniquely positioned to deliver leading-edge mobility solutions with a next-generation wireless communications network platform."

Using the MCS platform, business users will benefit from increased productivity by staying connected anytime and anywhere within the corporate network. In addition, MCS will be a cost-effective productivity investment because it uses existing IT infrastructure and common network management tools.

By simply adding MCS functions to the network, along with MCS-enabled client devices, enterprises can extend the reach of the existing PBX and LAN.

Toshiba is building the MCS platform by combining the expertise of its Computer Systems Group and Telecommunication Systems Division, along with the resources of Toshiba America Research Inc. The company will demonstrate MCS at TECHXNY/PC Expo, Booth #3136.

About Toshiba America Information Systems

With headquarters in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of multiple divisions that provide computer, communications and imaging products and services.

Products include industry-leading portable computers; PDAs; mobile computing accessories; servers, including communications and portable servers; storage subsystems; cable modems; digital business telephone systems; voice mail; digital cameras; security systems and projectors.

TAIS provides sales, marketing, services and manufacturing for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., which is a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems.

Toshiba has global sales of more than $40 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.

About Toshiba Computer Systems Group

Toshiba Computer Systems Group is a leading vendor for portable computers. In addition to notebooks, the company offers portable and wireless accessories, a Pocket PC device and server computing solutions for business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For more information call 800/TOSHIBA or visit the company's Web site at www.csd.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Telecommunication Systems Division

The Toshiba Telecommunication Systems Division markets the Strata CTX and Strata DK families of digital business telephone systems, Strata CS Communication Server, and Strategy voice processing systems.

For additional product information, contact Toshiba America Information Systems, Telecommunication Systems Division, 9740 Irvine Blvd., P.O. Box 19724, Irvine, CA 92618-1697, or visit the Web site at www.telecom.toshiba.com.