Skyhook Wireless' Jed Rice Featured Panelist at Search Engine Strategies Local Search Conference & Expo; Panel to Focus on the Convergence of Local Search and WiFi

Business Wire, Sept 19, 2006

BOSTON -- Skyhook Wireless, provider of the industry's first Wi-Fi based positioning system, announced today that Jed Rice, vice president of market development, will be a featured panelist at Search Engine Strategies Local Search Conference & Expo, taking place on Thursday, September 28 in Denver, CO at the Adam's Mark Hotel. Rice's panel entitled "Coping with Convergence: Local Search Meets Mobile and WiFi" will take place from 1:15 - 2:30 pm.

As mobile devices get more powerful and WiFi becomes ubiquitous, search marketers will have increasing opportunities to target searches based on specific locations or as they're on the move. This session looks at current and future opportunities as local search gets even closer to prospective customers.

"With wireless broadband quickly on its way to everywhere, users are soon going to demand not only the same experience they have on wired broadband, but one that is improved for the mobile experience, and that applies to search," said Jed Rice. "Requiring users to manually input their location along with search terms won't cut it in local mobile search. Users want to type in 'pizza,' 'art museum' or 'petting zoo' and have their device (laptop, PDA, smartphone) know where it is automatically so they can quickly get the right answer. With this chain of information flow that provides a user's exact physical location and their stated interest can then be used by businesses to serve-up targeted content and advertising."

Skyhook Wireless has pioneered the development of the first positioning system that uses WiFi instead of GPS, giving the end-user better and more reliable accuracy indoors and in metro areas while using just their computer or PDA. The Skyhook Wireless Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) includes a database with the known physical location of more than 14 million WLAN access points across a coverage area that reaches almost 60% of the U.S. population. Skyhook also brings to market "Loki," a mass consumer Internet search application leveraging WiFi that automatically incorporates a user's exact location into online search from their browser toolbar. As the first 'mass consumer' location-based service, it automatically integrates a user's location into something they do every day - surf, search and navigate the Web.

Jed Rice serves as Skyhook's vice president of market development where he is responsible for Loki, the location-aware search and navigation toolbar, and evangelizing WiFi positioning as a development standard in line with GPS. A frequent commentator and speaker, Jed has presented on topics ranging from the impact of auto-location technologies on privacy to the U.S. Congressional Internet Caucus on Capitol Hill to developing mass-consumer location-based applications at the O'Reilly Where 2.0 conference.

For further information on Search Engine Strategies Local Search Conference & Expo, please visit its Website at: http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/sewlocal/sept06/index.html

About Skyhook Wireless

Founded in 2003, Skyhook Wireless has pioneered the development of the first-ever metro-area positioning system that leverages Wi-Fi rather than satellites or cell towers to deliver precise location data supporting the growing market for location-based services. The Skyhook Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) requires no new hardware, works indoors and outdoors, provides an instant location and is more accurate than current technologies in congested downtown areas. WPS is currently available in the top 100 US metro areas and is on target to serve 70% of the US population by the end of 2006. Skyhook Wireless is headquartered in Boston, MA and is privately held. Investors include Bain Capital, Intel Capital and Nokia Ventures Organization. For more information visit www.skyhookwireless.com, send email to info@skyhookwireless.com or call 617-314-9802.

Loki, Skyhook Wireless and WPS are the trademarks of Skyhook Wireless, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.