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Sprint Launches InfoSpace J2ME Applications on PCS Vision Next Generation Wireless Service
BELLEVUE, Wash. & OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Aug 19, 2002 - InfoSpace, Inc. (Nasdaq:INSP), a provider of
wireless and Internet software and application services, today announced that it worked with Sprint to launch a set of J2ME(TM)-based
applications through PCS Vision(SM), a next generation wireless service recently launched nationwide by Sprint (NYSE:FON, PCS), which
operates the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide wireless network.
The launch initially includes popular InfoSpace wireless applications such as finance and horoscopes. In addition, InfoSpace applications in
categories including weather, travel, sports, news and more will be offered soon on Vision-capable PCS Phones.
"We chose to work with InfoSpace because of their ability to provide us with applications that deliver usability within the color, graphical
wireless space that we've created," said Scott Relf, senior vice president for the PCS division of Sprint. "In addition, InfoSpace has shown
its ability to continue supporting our efforts -- as the PCS Vision offering evolves -- by developing new and innovative services and
applications for Sprint wireless customers."
Next generation client technologies, such as Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME(TM)), mark an important step toward wider adoption of
wireless data services. InfoSpace's J2ME(TM) applications offer end users significant improvements in speed and usability over the content
currently offered by WAP and SMS-based services. InfoSpace's J2ME(TM) applications feature:
-- Menu-driven input. Enables faster and more intuitive input
capability through support for advanced features such as
scrolling menus and drop-down lists.
-- Improved graphical interface. Brings the user experience alive
with support for full-color graphics such as icon-based
weather forecasts, stock charts, maps, turn-by-turn
directions, and more.
-- Efficient network utilization. Significantly reduces wait
times by allowing applications to connect to the network in
the background while in use and utilizing the network only
when information is required from the server.
-- Local caching. Provides fast and easy access to personalized
information, even when out of network range, through local
caching of frequently accessed information and user
preferences.
The launch of InfoSpace's J2ME(TM) applications also represents a significant milestone in InfoSpace's strategy to offer multi-modal
wireless data solutions that enable carriers to deploy services over almost any combination of current and next generation devices on their
network. InfoSpace's wireless data services can be provisioned and deployed simultaneously across a wide range of standards such as
J2ME(TM), SS7 signaling, WAP, VoiceXML, SMS, BREW and more.
This enables carriers to rapidly deploy value-added data services to their base of users, driving revenue and educating subscribers on the
benefits of wireless data. As subscribers come to rely on wireless data, InfoSpace offers the services carriers need to upgrade their users
to more advanced services and devices, maximizing their investments in next generation infrastructure.
"Today's announcement with Sprint demonstrates our leadership in the development and deployment of next generation wireless applications
and services," said Jan Claesson, executive vice president of wireless at InfoSpace. "Next generation technologies such as J2ME are
essential to realizing the full potential of wireless data, and our goal is to stay on the cutting edge in developing the applications and services
that enable carriers like Sprint to maximize their return on investments in these technologies."
Initially, PCS Vision will include services that allow consumer and business customers to use their Vision-enabled PCS Devices to take and
receive pictures, check personal and corporate e-mail, play games with full-color graphics and polyphonic sounds and browse the Internet
wirelessly with speeds comparable to a home computer's dial-up connection. The shift to providing clarity you can see and hear has
revolutionized virtually every aspect of wireless service from Sprint. Results include significant advances to network, products, content
management, training and back-office systems.
About InfoSpace, Inc.
InfoSpace, Inc. (Nasdaq:INSP) provides wireless and Internet software and application services. The Company develops software
technologies that enable customers to efficiently offer a broad array of network-based services under their own brand to any device.
InfoSpace corporate information can be found at www.infospaceinc.com.
About Sprint
Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With
approximately 80,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing,
engineering and deploying state of the art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network.
Sprint's award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of
scalable IP products. Sprint's high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, non-stop access to the vast majority of the
world's Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States,
including more than 4,000 cities and communities.
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