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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Linktone to Offer English Premier League Wireless Fantasy Soccer Game
SHANGHAI, China, -- Linktone Ltd. (Nasdaq: LTON - News), a leading provider of wireless value-added services in China, today announced that it has signed an agreement to provide a fantasy soccer game, ''EPL DREAM TEAM,'' to Chinese mobile users on both its short messaging service (SMS) and wireless access protocol (WAP) platforms. The game, which uses official English Premier League data provided by PA Sport, is the first- of-its-kind in the country. Linktone expects to launch the product commercially in October 2004.
An interactive and multi-player game, EPL DREAM TEAM assigns the virtual roles of managers and coaches of several soccer teams to players, who are able to buy soccer players at various price levels to assemble complete teams, establish team strategies and compete with each other. The final winner is determined by total points accumulated by game players through an entire game season. Simulating real EPL game experience, EPL DREAM TEAM aims to capitalize on the fantasy sporting interests of millions of soccer fans in China. The game is also being launched in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore via local distributors.
Raymond Yang, chief executive officer of Linktone, commented, ''We are very pleased to introduce this innovative product. EPL is well known among our users, most of whom are young soccer fans. The highly interactive functions and soccer theme are expected to create and maintain a 'sticky' user group for us. We expect the product not only to further enhance our 2.5G service offering, but also to improve our SMS game experience. The introduction of this game supports our growth strategy, which is to aggressively expand our non-SMS business, including 2.5G and audio services, while continuing to strengthen our leadership in the SMS market in China.''
Chris Buckley, Managing Director of PA Sport, which is the official data partner of Football DataCo, the EPL's data arm, said, ''We are pleased to establish a partnership with Linktone, a leading focused WVAS provider in China with extensive distribution and marketing capabilities, localized sales and product expertise, and a sizable user base. This alliance strongly backs our mission to promote EPL soccer in China and penetrate the Chinese wireless market with products using official data.''
About Linktone Ltd.
Headquartered in Shanghai, Linktone Ltd. is a leading provider of wireless value-added services to mobile users in China. Working in close partnership with China's mobile operators -- China Mobile and China Unicom -- Linktone provides a diverse portfolio of wireless content and applications, with a particular focus on media, entertainment and communications. Through in-house development and alliances with international and local branded content partners, the company develops, aggregates and distributes innovative and engaging products for its growing user community.
About PA Sport
PA Sport is a division of The Press Association -- a customer-focused group of news, information and communications businesses. PA Sport is one of the world's leading suppliers of sports information and is the official gatherer and supplier of data from English Premier League and English Football League matches.
About Football DataCo
Football DataCo is a company owned by the FA Premier League and Football League with agency agreements to act on behalf of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League. Formed in 2001 and operating worldwide, DataCo provides official data via its association with The Press Association.
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