SAN DIEGO, Jan. 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- SMS.ac, a company whose MMSbox(tm) technologies are enabling short message service (SMS) text and data messages to be exchanged across multiple networks, today announced that 1.25 million users have registered to use the services on the company's web site (www.sms.ac) since December 10, 2001. SMS.ac previously announced on January 9 that it had reached the 1-million-user milestone (www.sms.ac/corporate).
SMS.ac's MMSbox technology was created to enable SMS message interoperability between network carriers around the world. The technologies enable text and also next-generation messages to be exchanged mobile-to-mobile, via the Internet and from web-enabled portable devices. But, while SMS use has been brisk internationally, lack of network interoperability has stymied its adoption domestically.
"SMS messaging popularity is rising worldwide," said Michael Pousti, chairman and chief executive officer at SMS.ac. "More than 20 billion messages are being sent each month and to this point only a small fraction of this activity emanates from within the United States. Now that the barriers for cross-network SMS communication are being removed, you'll see domestic use push that (20 billion) metric up significantly. This is great news for network carriers, applications developers and consumers.
"We are pleased with the amazing viral growth of our online offerings that were officially launched only a few short weeks ago. The fact that SMS.ac now has more than 1.25 million users from over 200 countries is validation that our technologies work and that they are being eagerly embraced by a global audience," Pousti continued. "It is interesting to note that SMS messaging on our site is being utilized by a broad user demographic -- not merely the youth, or early-adopter groups you would normally associate with new technology deployment."
Aside from its youth appeal, SMS messaging is being widely utilized internationally for a wide array of business applications -- from meeting reminders and financial and email alerts, to discreet one-to-one communications and communiques sent to large groups -- all with the press of a button. Statistics also show that the hearing-impaired are finding SMS text and data messaging useful as an alternative mode of communication.
To learn more about SMS.ac and to discover how this brandable technology can be seamlessly and transparently integrated into your company's offerings, visit www.sms.ac and contact bizdev@sms.ac.
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About SMS.ac:
Through its core technologies, SMS.ac enables network operators, technology standards, consumers and application/content developers to interact worldwide. SMS.ac's MMSbox(tm) technologies unify GSM, CDMA, TDMA, the Internet and next-generation standards for the first time. The result is interaction not previously possible amongst a critical mass of developers, consumers and businesses -- igniting the widespread adoption and use of wireless data for network operators.
SMS.ac drives revenues through technology licensing, subscriptions, sponsorships and shared revenue opportunities. SMS.ac's consumer site (www.sms.ac) is an example of the brandable web interfaces to MMSbox(tm) technologies available for licensing. The community of wireless enthusiasts at SMS.ac represents one of the fastest growing consumer properties on the Internet. SMS.ac and MMSbox are trademarks of SMS.ac, Incorporated. Other trademarks or service marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. To view the SMS.ac corporate web site, visit www.sms.ac/corporate.