Wireless communications has become one of the key technologies of the 90's. As wireless networks mature, the demand for messaging and information services for these networks has increased significantly.

Wireless Services Corporation, a provider of services for wireless networks, was founded to fill that demand. The company's key expertise includes wireless technology, Internet communications, and database and computer server solutions. Wireless Services' vision is to free people from being tethered to wires, by offering applications and services that provide them the information they need, when they need it, wherever they are.

The AirNote Wireless Email service delivers email to PCS telephones and alphanumeric pagers on either one-way or two-way networks. AirNote delivers the email by assigning a subscriber-selected Internet email address to each wireless device and delivers email according to the custom filters and delivery schedules established by the subscriber. AirNote provides a substantial and rapidly growing subscriber base with their Internet email, across any of the major paging carriers and most of the digital telephone carriers, to any corner of the country.

While the wireless communications networks are Wireless Services' focus, the company is not aligned with any particular communications infrastructure. Rather, its services utilize any and all existing networks as appropriate. Networks currently supported include PCS telephone, one- and two-way alpha paging networks and the Internet.

Company History

Founded in 1996, Wireless Services Corporation is a company that focuses on providing applications and information services to wireless carriers and the business community. As alumni of McCaw Cellular Communications, CompuServe and Microsoft, the company's management team brings a wealth of experience from the cellular, Internet services and software industries. The company employs 10 people in its Bellevue headquarters.

Market Need

Business professionals and consumers are demanding faster (and more mobile) means of obtaining information and communications services. They also want better control over when, where and how they receive various communications (Internet, email, data, fax). This is particularly important for people who are on-the-go, where the ability to manage email and information is essential.

The aim of existing wireless technologies "digital telephones, palmtop computers, wireless networks and paging devices" is to provide an untethered environment to an increasingly mobile society, offering reliable, portable and compact communications links between home, office and field locations.

These wireless carriers represent a growing market, with an increasing appetite for value-added communication and information services. They are in an increasingly competitive environment. Value-added services such as AirNote offer increased margins and decreased subscriber turnover.

Marketing Strategy

Wireless Services' strategy is to offer services to carriers that enhance the value of their existing wireless data networks. AirNote is currently being sold by PageNet, SkyTel and Western Wireless, among others. PageNet is the world's largest paging carrier and SkyTel is the first carrier in the paging industry to successfully launch a two-way network. Western Wireless is the first PCS carrier to adopt the AirNote technology platform. Relationships with other marketing partners will be announced in the near future. Wireless Services will focus on marketing its services primarily through wireless carriers and other organizations that have a desire to offer additional value to subscribers.

Internet Paging Capabilities

Wireless Services provides an Internet messaging gateway technology to carriers that allows the delivery of text messages to carrier phones from any personal computer with access to the Internet. Messages can be sent to the user by addressing the message to their telephone number, typing the message in the message box and clicking the send button. This Internet messaging gateway provides the carriers’ customers with another powerful communication tool to complement their services.

AirNoteÒ

The AirNote service provides wireless Internet access via alphanumeric pagers and PCS telephones. Each subscriber is assigned a customized Internet email address (e.g. yourname@AirNote.net). Email sent to that address is immediately forwarded by AirNote to the subscriber's pager or telephone and simultaneously sent to the subscriber's desktop email address (e.g. yourname@company.com). When the message has been accepted by the wireless network, a confirmation can be sent back to the originator of the message. By logging into the Wireless Services web site, subscribers are able to scan and retrieve messages, set delivery schedules and activate filters to select which email messages get forwarded to their wireless device. Anyone with Internet email access, whether through their corporate mail system or via a commercial service such as AOL or CompuServe, can send messages to AirNote subscribers, without the expense and limitations of an operator dispatch service. AirNote turns a pager, PCS telephone or palmtop computer into an Internet terminal.

GotSportsÒ

GotSports is the personalized sports information service that delivers real-time sports news and information via Internet email, alphanumeric pagers and PCS phones. Sports fans have immediate, customized access to the latest in sports news, scores, trades, statistics and detailed injury reports among their favorite teams in professional and college baseball, basketball, football and hockey.

Steve Wood, President and CEO

Wood has been associated with emerging technology for the majority of his career, with broad experience in personal computers, telecommunications, information services and personal communications. Since earning a BS degree in computer engineering from Case Western Reserve in 1975 and an MSEE from Stanford University in 1976, Wood has held strategic leadership positions at many of the industry's leading companies.

Wood began his career in 1976 as general manager at Microsoft, the company's sixth employee. Wood then served on the executive team of several start-up companies, such as Asymetrix Corp., Interval Research Corp. and Starwave Corp. He currently serves on the board of directors of Telescan Corp. Before joining Wireless Services , Wood was CEO of Notable Technologies, Inc., and prior to that was vice president of information broadcasting for McCaw Cellular Communications, responsible for developing information services businesses.

Jim Rulfs, Vice President, Business Development

Rulfs is responsible for the development of new business concepts and strategies for wireless networks and applications for Wireless Services. Before joining Wireless Services, Rulfs was vice president of business development for Notable Technologies, Inc., and prior to that was a business development consultant for McCaw Cellular Communications, focusing on building information services businesses. He also is a founding principal in Biodynamics Associates, Inc., an ergonomics and biomechanical research company associated with Ohio State University. Rulfs has more than 15 years experience in pioneering the information industry, including six years at CompuServe, developing key information business segments as a senior marketing manager. He received a BS in journalism and political science from Ohio University.

Curt Miller, Vice President, Engineering

Miller has been in the computer software industry for 19 years and has special expertise in database design and implementation. He managed development organizations for Datapoint, Microrim and Corbis prior to joining Wireless Services. Miller has a BA in mathematics from Hamilton College.

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