Telia Teams With Symbol Technologies To Release Public Access Broadband Wireless LAN Services To Global Market

Technology Allows ‘Anywhere-Anytime' High-Speed Internet Access From Within a Facility. Wireless LAN Installations Include Arlanda Airport, First Hotels, Best Western, Provobis and Quality Hotels In Sweden; Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö Train Stations

Symbol Technologies, Telia Mobile and Service Factory, announced today a program to service the rapidly growing global market for public access, broadband wireless LAN. The program will combine Telia Mobile's HomeRun License product, Symbol Technologies' Spectrum24® High Rate wireless LAN infrastructure and associated services, along with the radio LAN Access Server technology from Service Factory to deliver a complete, end-to-end solution for potential franchisees.

HomeRun installations, which allow users high-speed anywhere-anytime Internet access from within a public facility, such as an airport, hotel, railway station, stadium, include Arlanda Airport; First Hotels, Best Western, Provobis, and Quality Hotels; and Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö railway stations, all in Sweden.

As the need for mobility increases, the ability to wirelessly connect notebook PCs, PDAs and other smart computer devices to the Internet has become a business driver. To address this universal need, Telia Mobile created HomeRun - an innovative public wireless LAN service to the Swedish market in 1999, which has since been successfully installed at airports, railway stations, hotels and conference centres within Scandinavia. With proven experience of deployment at over 100 locations, the business benefits of truly mobile computing are now available for potential franchisees to exploit on a worldwide basis.

Together Symbol Technologies, Telia Mobile and Service Factory, enable franchisees to market, deploy and manage a complete broadband wireless data network, specifically targeting the mainstream Corporate users for tomorrows next generation data services today; benefits to franchisees include:

• Business concept and expertise from Telia Mobile International.
• Open Standards based 11mbps WLAN infrastructure and appliances from Symbol Technologies, a world leader in WLAN technology and solutions.
• Secure, scaleable, Internet Access server technology from Service Factory.
• Marketing and sales support from each vendor to facilitate development of the HomeRun service on a global basis.
• Single point of contact for administration, logistics, customer services and training.

A service that franchisees will benefit from soon is a clearinghouse service to all HomeRun licensees to facilitate roaming between HomeRun networks.

To make public WLANs a reality, the infrastructure needs to be installed, managed and standardised as part of a global brand, giving consumers confidence that the service is available on a broad scale. To facilitate this Telia Mobile International has developed a "business in a box" concept. Randy Vincelette, Telia Mobile International Product Manager explains, "by means of franchising our public WLAN offer, ISP's can deliver high speed Internet access virtually anywhere, while a cellular operator can complement their data service offerings to 3G levels and beyond at a fraction of the time/cost associated with next generation deployment. Investing in a HomeRun license means additional revenues for the franchisers and a better service for the user; our goal is to make the HomeRun brand synonymous with mobile computing."

John Vaccaro, Vice President of Symbol's Mobile & Wireless Systems, EMEA Division explained, "Through our relationships with business partners such as Telia Mobile and Service Factory, Symbol continues to extend the wireless market to encompass new and innovative applications. We applaud Telia Mobile's decision to license HomeRun to a broader audience ensuring that operators around the globe can realise the market opportunities afforded by our Spectrum24 High Rate products and services. The HomeRun service clearly delivers substantial added value for mobile professionals, from Stockholm to Seattle to Singapore and beyond".

Gunnar Almgren, Manager of International Markets at Service Factory explained, "Service Factory is very happy to work with wireless leaders Telia and Symbol. Our joint effort with HomeRun will enable ISPs and operators around the world to jump-start their Broadband Wireless Internet business. Our "Smart Access" concept embedded in "HomeRun" will open opportunities beyond the pure access however; ISPs will able to create, offer and charge for individualized service selections and content delivery as well as web-based permission marketing. HomeRun combines the best of breed in wireless with the frontline in IP service provisioning"

About Telia Mobile AB

Telia Mobile AB is one of the world's most innovative mobile telecommunications operators with the major share of the Swedish market. Telia Mobile offers advanced wireless communications services to private and corporate customers. At the same time, Pan-European and global services are being realised through powerful alliances and partnerships in Europe and around the world. Through Telia Mobile International, Telia Mobile offers cutting edge services and technology in the field of wireless mobile communications.

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About Service Factory

Service Factory AB designs, develops, and markets complete turn-key IP service platforms and production systems to be used by ISPs, operators and other organizations that wants to offer attractive IP-based services. Our products facilitate efficient deployment, provisioning as well monitoring of services, user accounts and equipment. The work started as early as in 1995. Today, more than 1,5 million accounts around the world are connected to services based on ServiceFactory´s architecture.

The novel "Smart Access" concept developed by Service Factory will enable ISPs to leverage the customer relationship by offering individualized service selection and targeted, interest-filtered advertising.

More information is available at