Dwango North America Acquires Over-The-Air Wireless, Adding Premium Ringtones and Media Content to its Innovative and Growing Mobile Entertainment Product Portfolio

Business Wire, April 28, 2003

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2003

Dwango(R) North America, developer of wireless applications and technology for users of next-generation mobile devices, has acquired Over-The-Air Wireless to add premium ringtone and media content to its product portfolio of mobile entertainment services.

dwango wireless, the Seattle-based software development center of Dwango North America, will merge Over-The-Air Wireless with its current operations. The acquisition clearly positions dwango wireless as one of the leading providers of comprehensive mobile entertainment services in North America. Over-The-Air Wireless' ringtones, images and other emerging digital media capabilities complement dwango wireless' innovative and growing library of ringtones, media and mobile games.

Over-The-Air Wireless, a Seattle-based company, has more than two years experience successfully developing, managing and delivering ringtones and images for the North American market. Over-The-Air Wireless former chief executive officer Rick Hennessey notes, "Our success in the marketplace has been driven by developing unique and proprietary production tools that allow us to offer the highest quality content to consumers. We're excited to contribute our expertise and assets to a company as innovative and customer-focused as dwango wireless."

Over-The-Air Wireless' content library contains original musical arrangements that leverage the company's strong relationships with the top copyright holders including Sony, BMI, EMI, ASCAP, Warner, Electra and others.

Polyphonic and monophonic ringtones, as well as original images, will be available to consumers as a key component of dwango wireless' expanded product portfolio of mobile entertainment services in the third quarter of 2003.

"dwango wireless recognizes that consumer demand for ringtone and media content is booming. Acquiring Over-The-Air Wireless has significantly accelerated our go-to-market plan for ringtones. We were excited to find a company whose method and technology mirrored that of Dwango Japan's successful ringtone offering in Japan, providing the highest quality ringtone and media services in the marketplace," said Robert E. "dwangobob" Huntley, founder and chief executive officer of Dwango North America.

Dwango North America has an exclusive North American license for all of Dwango Japan's current and future wireless intellectual property. The company is capitalizing on its expertise and experience as a leader in the Japanese ringtone, media and mobile games market to build similar offerings for the rapidly growing North American market, indicated Huntley.

About Dwango North America and dwango wireless

Dwango North America is based in Houston. dwango wireless, the Seattle-based software development center for Dwango North America, develops and publishes entertainment applications and technology for users of next-generation mobile devices. For more information on Dwango North America and dwango wireless, please visit www.dwango.com or call 713/914-9600.

Dwango is a registered trademark of Dwango Co., Ltd.