SMS.ac and IDC to Provide Survey Data and Analysis On Mobility Trends In Near Real-Time

NEW ORLEANS, March 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- SMS.ac and IDC today announced a survey partnership to provide on-demand wireless market intelligence and analysis utilizing research derived from a global community of wireless technology users. The two companies will collaborate on a series of projects examining key topics impacting the mobile industry. The result will be the industry's most far-reaching research and analysis based on information gathered from mobile handset users in more than 170 countries.

"This survey partnership with SMS.ac will provide IDC with rapid access to a highly valued segment for targeted research -- the world's largest mobile community," said Randy Giusto, group vice president for Clients and Mobility research at IDC. "Any enterprise with an aggressive mobile initiative needs to understand the latest industry intelligence before it can proceed with confidence. Such intelligence can now be produced in near real-time as a result of this collaboration."

SMS.ac will survey its community members and IDC will analyze, interpret, and report the results. The compiled data on the attitudes and behaviors of mobile handset users from around the world will be utilized by enterprises seeking to predict future trends and consumer preferences and spending habits before forging and executing key mobile strategies.

"Obtaining data from a large sample group is a significant accomplishment, but it is the analysis of the data that will guide companies toward successful market strategies," said Greg Wilfahrt, executive vice president at SMS.ac. "In terms of understanding and interpreting global market data, IDC is unsurpassed. Their ability to track and predict trends and behavior, coupled with on-demand access to consumer attitudes and preferences, makes this survey partnership between SMS.ac and IDC a must have for anyone seeking a deep understanding of mobile usage trends."

In the first SMS.ac-IDC survey, mobile phone users were asked about their attitudes regarding the potential use of mobile phones by passengers on airplanes in the future. Nearly two-thirds of the 45,612 respondents replied that they would welcome in-flight phone use, but not for voice calls. And 25% of poll participants did not want mobile phones used aboard planes at all.

In a related survey, 52,564 registered SMS.ac users weighed-in on which wireless data services they would use most while in flight. Over half the participants answered that they would use their handsets for messaging (texting, email, etc.), while other popular uses included multi-player games (11%); meeting others during flight (9%); purchasing items via sky magazines or from other sources (7%) and gambling (6%).

About IDC

IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries. IDC analyzes and predicts technology trends so that its clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. More than 775 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets, and our management team is comprised of experienced and respected industry luminaries. Business executives and IT managers have relied for more than 40 years on our advice to make decisions that contribute to the success of their organizations.

IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com

About SMS.ac

SMS.ac, Inc. is a mobile data communications company whose proprietary MMSbox(tm) platform enables the interoperable exchange of mobile multimedia (MMS and SMS) and micro-transaction billing across all mobile standards, protocols and the Internet. A demonstration of the MMSbox platform is available at www.sms.ac

With more than 30 million self-registered mobile consumers in 170+ countries, and connectivity to more than 400 mobile operators worldwide, SMS.ac is host to the largest community of mobile phone users in the world. Through its global initiatives, SMS.ac is igniting the widespread adoption and use of wireless data. To view the SMS.ac corporate web site, visit www.sms.ac/corporate

All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT:
SMS.ac
Greg Wilfahrt
Executive Vice President
+1 (619) 696-7300
prcomm@corp.sms.ac

IDC
Jonathan Guloyan
Marketing Director
(508) 935-4296