MEDIA RELEASE PR38863
Openwave Announces Latest Version of Passport Offering
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Mar. 24 /NZPA-AsiaNet/ --
Passport 3.0 Comes with Enhanced Service Tiering and Customer Care Capabilities
to Help Operators Better Manage Network Resources and Avoid Subscriber 'Bill Shock'
Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OPWV), a global software innovator delivering
context-aware mediation and messaging solutions, today announced the latest version
of Openwave® Passport, a key part of its Traffic Mediation solution. Passport 3.0 is
designed to help operators more effectively manage network resources and tap into new
revenue streams by offering subscribers personalized, context-aware internet
services.
"Mobile spectrum is a finite resource; the tension between operators and consumer
demand is definitely beginning to grow," said Graham Finnie, chief analyst, Heavy
Reading. "The 'all-you-can-eat' data plan approach is no longer sustainable and
operators need usage-based pricing as a means to better manage their precious network
resources while still providing value to the chain. Solutions that empower users to
have a hand in their own data usage management while improving upon the overall
mobile internet experience will help operators remain competitive."
"Operators continue to be challenged with the rising costs of supporting larger
data volumes in the network; we believe that some form of service tiering will
inevitably be required to manage these costs," said John Giere, senior vice
president, products and marketing at Openwave. "Approaching this challenge creatively
by rapidly adapting to consumer needs is the key to creating a positive user
experience and introducing new revenue-generating business models. Openwave Passport
allows operators to proactively offer subscribers a range of recurring or 'pay-as-
you-go' metered service plans while helping operators to manage their network costs."
In Europe, 'bill shock' from data roaming is so common that the European Union
(EU) recently enacted a rule that requires operators to notify subscribers when
their bills reach a certain threshold and discontinue service unless the subscriber
affirmatively agrees to incur additional charges. With Openwave Passport, a roaming
user can be immediately informed of roaming data charge options and make a choice
that best suits their needs. They might opt to purchase a "roaming day pass," pay
per megabyte (MB), or pay per block of 100 MBs. This could work to ensure that the
operator adheres to any relevant regulatory matters around control of data roaming
charges while at the same time keeping the user informed and providing them with
choices.
Passport 3.0 allows the operator to offer a range of different data access plans
to their subscribers, from a monthly recurring plan with specified "fair usage"
limits to a more flexible pay-as-you-go, time-based "pass" that might be more
suitable to the casual data user. Passport monitors the user's activity (by time or
traffic volume) and can proactively inform them when appropriate of events such as
allocated quotas being reached, changes to their service plan, new data changes that
may apply or new services that may be of interest. The subscriber may also manage
their service plans directly with on-demand access to time and/or volume "meters" and
options for extensions or upgrades.
Openwave Passport 3.0 is expected to be generally available in April 2010.
About Openwave
Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OPWV) is a global software innovator delivering
context-aware mediation and messaging solutions that enable communication service
providers and the broader ecosystem to create and deliver smarter services.
Building on its mobile data heritage, Openwave mobilizes the Internet with
predictive solutions fueled by real-time analytics that mediate among all different
ecosystem elements, permitting the enhancement of every mode of IP traffic. The
result can provide customers with a 360-degree view of their network, devices and
services, and enables them to proactively optimize network resources, quickly launch
smart mobile services, and provide a contextually relevant user experience.
Openwave is a global company with a blue chip customer base spanning North
America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the
Middle East. Openwave is headquartered in Redwood City, California. For more
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains statements regarding Openwave Systems' expectations
of the benefits of Openwave® Passport, as well as the expected timing of the release
of Openwave® Passport. Actual timing of release and performance of Openwave®
Passport could differ materially as a result of unanticipated factors and events,
including that Openwave Systems could face difficulties in launching Openwave®
Passport, or Openwave® Passport may not function as expected with various operators,
due to technical or other unforeseen reasons. Further risks inherent in Openwave
Systems' business are detailed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Openwave
Systems' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 (filed
February 5, 2010 with the Securities and Exchange Commission).
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For further information:
Openwave Systems Inc.
Paula Holland
Public Relations
Paula.Holland@openwave.com
Tel: 650-480-5640
SOURCE: Openwave Systems Inc
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