Agreement with EMBARQ
Messaging International Plc
19 November 2007
Messaging International Plc / Market: AIM / Epic: MES / Sector: Technology
19 November 2007
Messaging International Plc ('the Company')
EMBARQ launches Text-to-Landline service
Messaging International Plc, the AIM traded provider of innovative messaging
services, has, through its 100% owned subsidiary, TeleMessage Ltd, signed an
agreement with USA based EMBARQ, to launch a Text-to-Landline service, which
enables EMBARQTM Wireless subscribers to send a text message from their wireless
phone to a landline phone.
The Text-to-Landline software converts the text to a voice message and plays it
to the recipient. The recipient can reply using their own voice. The reply is
sent back to the original sender's wireless phone as a text prompting the
retrieval of the voice reply. Importantly, the service understands a dictionary
of shorthand text messages such as 'LOL' that can be translated into full
wording ('laugh out loud') for landline recipients. EMBARQTM Wireless customers
who use the service will pay standard text message costs.
Messaging International CEO Guy Levit said, 'EMBARQ is in a great position to
take advantage of this application because it is in tune with both the wireless
and wireline phone markets. It has millions of fixed line customers that can
now hear text messages and respond with ease.'
Senior Vice President of Wireless and Product Development at EMBARQ, Dennis
Huber, said, 'The new Text-to-Landline service is another way that EMBARQ is
integrating its portfolio of services. As the line between the home phone and
wireless phone becomes blurred, and as convergence takes on new meaning, EMBARQ
wants to give customers simple, yet effective ways of communicating that fit
into their daily lives.
'With more than 158 billion text messages sent in 2006, 'LOL' and other acronyms
like it were sent in text messages 300,000 times per minute, according to the
Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. That figure could increase
now that the EMBARQTM Text-to-Landline service allows its wireless customers to
send text messages to any landline phone across the United States.'
- ENDS -
For further information visit www.telemessage.com or contact:
Guy Levit Messaging International Plc Tel: + 972 3 9225252
Isabel Crossley St Brides Media & Finance Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7242 4477
Mark Percy Seymour Pierce Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000
Notes
Messaging International Plc
Messaging International joined AIM in August 2005 with the objective of becoming
a leading provider in the rapidly growing multimedia messaging market. Its 100%
owned subsidiary, TeleMessage Ltd (www.telemessage.com), provides cross-platform
media messaging management systems and applications. These are designed to
enable PC, browser, mobile phone and wireline telephone users to send, receive
and manage voice messages, email, SMS, IM and MMS across various media
platforms. It supports multiple languages, text to speech conversion, e-mail
notification, unlimited SMS length, and direct reply to SMS capabilities, all
illustrating the uniqueness of the service. The Company has a number of
contracts with major blue chip companies including Rogers Wireless, the largest
wireless provider in Canada.
About EMBARQ
Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a
complete suite of common-sense communications services. The company has
approximately 19,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is included in
the S&P 500.
For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes
reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet,
wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) - all on one monthly bill.
For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated
services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and
communicate with their customers. This service portfolio includes local voice
and data services, long distance, Business-Class High Speed Internet, wireless,
enhanced data network services, voice and data communication equipment and
managed network services.
EMBARQ believes that by focusing on the communities the company serves and by
employing common sense and practical ingenuity, it is able to provide customers
with a committed partner, dedicated customer service and innovative products for
work and home. For more information, visit embarq.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange