SpatialNews Press Release

Multimedia Messaging is just what Location Based Services has been waiting for

www.mapflow.com

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Dublin, Ireland, June 1, 2002 Sales of Multimedia Messaging Services, the next generation of mobile messaging that transmits colour images, with text and sound, are being hindered by the lack of tangible services. At the same time the general acceptance of Location Based Services is being frustrated by the form factor of most handsets.

According to a White Paper recently published by Mapflow, Multimedia Messaging now accommodates the delivery of high value map based information. Business and leisure usage of location sensitive services will be unlocked by the rich media provided by MMS, resulting in enhanced personal efficiency for users and increased value and network activity for operators.

For the consumer, the ability to request, receive and understand rich map based information empowers mobile users in all areas of life, enhancing day-to-day activity through access to location information. It also boosts efficiency in the workplace by serving as a powerful tool for both conveying and responding the real world business operation, "where is the meeting?", "where is the client?".

For network operators, Location Based Services delivered over Multimedia Messaging provides the essential ingredients for a successful value-add service: a wealth of changing content, relevance to the user's situation and a compelling user experience. LBS over MMS promises increased airtime volume, airtime value, service differentiation and customer loyalty - all key factors in increasing the revenue generated from operating a network.

Mapflow contends that the availability of positioning technology, location middleware and a rich multimedia mobile bearer will drive development of new data services and content. The diversity of applications that can benefit from these capabilities will in turn represent significant revenue opportunities for service providers.

"The migration to Multi-Media Messaging and convergence with location-based technologies introduces a new range of services for the mobile user that traditionally were only available on the fixed line Internet." said Raymond Tierney, Logica Mobile Networks. "The combination of intuitive applications and terminals capable of displaying larger colour images propels users into a rich messaging phenomenon, receiving time & location sensitive information on request."

The White Paper, entitled "LBS & MMS" has been published by Mapflow, in conjunction with Logica, based on findings gathered from multiple operator trials of the combined services across a variety of territories.

For further information, contact Laura McDermott at Mapflow
t: +353.1.634.1430
e: info@mapflow.com

About Mapflow

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Mapflow is an innovative and successful spatial technology company, providing technology to enable real-time location-based services for internet-enabled devices. The company's flagship product, LocationAgent is a carrier grade XML and JAVA based infrastructure platform which supports wireless carriers, enterprises and portals in their delivery of location based services.

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