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Webraska and AirFlash Merge to Create Worldwide Location-based Services Leader
URL(s): http://www.webraska.com
Saratoga, CA, USA and Maisons-Laffitte, France, September 24, 2001 -- Webraska, the worldwide provider of wireless navigation services and technologies, and AirFlash, a leading provider of location-based technologies and services for network operators and wireless service providers, today announced they are merging to create a global leader in LBS (Location-based Services) applications and application development solutions. The combined entity has among its clients over twelve carriers on four continents serving in excess of 80 million mobile phone customers.
The merged company, named Webraska, provides software solutions to develop location-based applications for telecommunications and automotive customers. Specifically, the company offers:
Ready-to-deploy, context driven LBS and telematics applications, such as IbDN® Lite (the award-winning PDA-based car navigation application), "where is the nearest?" information services, and "friend finder" community services;
Software development environments for wireless devices, in-car equipment and server platforms. These include XML APIs, Java SDKs, professional services and training;
Carrier-grade geospatial technologies, such as international geocoding, reverse geocoding, enhanced spatial searching, advanced map rendering, map-matching, vector mapping data compression, and route optimization that is continent-wide, multi-modal, real-time and street-level;
The Global Navigation Dataset, a worldwide initiative to license, integrate and update street-level maps, public transportation networks, points-of-interest and real-time traffic information, that is already covering large parts of Europe, North and South America, and Asia-Pacific.
The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval in California and France, has been unanimously approved by both Boards of Directors. Webraska shareholders will own 87% and AirFlash shareholders 13% of the new entity. The new company will be headquartered in Maisons-Lafffitte (Worldwide HQ) and Saratoga, California (North America HQ).
Jean-Michel Durocher, who remains Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Webraska, said: "Both companies were already market leaders. It became clear that we should combine the context-driven LBS applications and software application development platform from AirFlash with the carrier-grade geo-spatial technology and the car navigation and telematics applications from Webraska." He continued: "We expect our customers to continue to make investments in infrastructure and applications that allow their users to stay in touch with co-workers, friends and family."
Rama Aysola, CEO of Airflash, who becomes Executive Vice President for Strategic Development, said: "The market is looking for leadership and defacto standardization in the area of LBS software platforms. The combination of AirFlash and Webraska offers a clear leader with significant presence in largest markets for LBS applications and services." Rama also noted that: "We have heard from customers that they need a vendor with a proven track record of successful LBS solutions. The combined company will provide these customers with years of experience in the wireless marketplace."
About Webraska
Webraska is the worldwide provider of wireless navigation services and technologies.
The company offers a full range of products designed to develop and launch internet-based wireless navigation and location-based services and applications. Webraska's technology has been chosen by industry leaders, including Airtel, Belgacom, Blu, Borg, CMG, Ericsson, KPN, IBM, M1, Nortel, Openwave, Oracle, Orange, Pacific Access, SFR, Telecom Italia Mobile, Vizzavi, and VoiceStream.
Webraska has offices in 12 countries.
For more information visit: www.webraska.com
About Airflash
AirFlash™ provides location-based technologies and services to network operators and wireless service providers. AirFlash develops, integrates and deploys infrastructure software that enables wireless carriers to rapidly deploy location-based services to their mobile subscribers and customers. The AirFlash SmartZone™ platform and services are currently deployed by carriers and portals in the U.S., Europe, and Australia including E-Plus, KnightRidder.com via AT&T PocketNet Service, Mviva, Orange PCS Ltd, Viag Interkom, and Vodafone. AirFlash has headquarters in Silicon Valley and London and sales presence in Washington D.C., Toronto, London, Munich, Sydney, Frankfurt, Netherlands and Paris.
For more information visit: www.airflash.com
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