PRESS RELEASE
ICQ AND AIRBORN ANNOUNCE MESSAGING AGREEMENT
Agreement with South Africa's Airborn Enables ICQ and GSM users to Send Instant
Messages Worldwide and Expands ICQ's presence in Africa
Agreement Makes Staying In Touch Easier with Global Messaging for GSM Phones
Johannesburg, South Africa, February 20, 2001 - Following the announcement of
the formation of Airborn and their alliance with Unisys, the company is proud
to announce its second global deal. America Online, Inc., the world's leading
interactive services company, and Airborn, the newly formed mobile Internet
company in the M-Cell Group, today announced an expansion of their
communications agreement.
This will allow ICQ registered users to go wireless and send 2-way Short
Messaging Service (SMS) instant messages from their PC to most GSM-enabled
phones world wide with one click ease from ICQ. The service is available today
and is free-of-charge.
Today's announcement furthers the relationship between Airborn, an innovative
mobile Internet convergence solutions company, and ICQ ("I Seek You"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc. and the world's largest online
communications community and biggest international service.
This agreement makes ICQ the only major instant messaging service that allows
its users to send and receive wireless messages between a PC and a wireless
phone. ICQ is available free at ICQ.com and it is free to send messages from a
PC to a phone. Consumers are subject to their phone carrier charges for sending
SMS messages.
Airborn, a subsidiary of the telecommunications holding company, M-Cell Group,
has through MTN another of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, operations throughout
Africa and roaming agreements with more than 201 networks in 90 countries. ICQ
has 93 million registered users worldwide, with more than two-thirds coming
from countries other than the US, and is available in thirteen different
languages.
Sending an SMS from the ICQ 2000b service is just as easy as sending a regular
instant message to another PC, yet now it is possible to send and receive
messages via mobile phones. Users of ICQ 2000b can use the SMS option a number
of different ways: on the Contact List; Services Button ICQ Quick bar; ICQ
website; or enter the phone number of millions of GSM-enabled phones worldwide.
Almost instantly the recipient will receive the text message and can respond
real time.
Donn Davis, President, AOL Interactive Properties, said: "We are thrilled to
make ICQ mobile - now ICQ's global community of 93 million registered users can
reach their friends, family and colleagues even if they are away from their PC.
With the ability to message to and from their PC and cell phone, ICQ adds to
its lead in offering the most robust and convenient messaging and
communications services."
Sam Michel, Chief of e, of Airborn, said: "We are very pleased to offer
Internet users around the world a quick and convenient way to send SMS instant
messages working with ICQ. Leading the way in instant two-way messaging from PC
to cell phone and back. Building on ICQ's cornerstone ease-of-use and
convenience, this agreement allows us to bring together our robust global
network with one of the world's premier consumer brands."
Ross Macdonald, CEO of Airborn, said: "Airborn is now regarded as a world
leader in the GSM short messaging sector, one of the hottest areas in the
cellular and handheld device industries. ICQ is the world's largest online
communications community and biggest international service. The increased
traffic means more opportunities for advertisers, which leads to more ad
revenue."
Ariel Yarnitsky, co-General Manager of ICQ said, "This is the first true
convergence of the Internet and wireless communities. By using Airborn's and
M-Cell's excellent infrastructure and leveraging their global network, we are
very pleased to enable ICQ's users around the world to have easy access to
sending SMS messages right from their desktops free. This agreement underscores
our commitment to enhancing our wireless offerings around the globe as we work
to extend one of AOL's best-known brands to new markets."
About ICQ
ICQ is wholly-owned by America Online, Inc. ICQ was created in 1996 by the
Israel-based company, Mirabilis, and acquired by AOL in 1998. ICQ is the
world's largest communications community with 93 million registered users
worldwide. ICQ offers the most robust instant messaging and enhanced
communications features in the market today. The product is available for free
at ICQ.com.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc.
Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the
world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and
e-commerce services.
About Airborn
Airborn is a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary within the M-Cell Group.
M-Cell is listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange South Africa. Included
in the M-Cell group of companies is the mobile operator MTN. Airborn was
formerly the e-business division of MTN Holdings. MTN was formed in 1993 when
it secured a GSM licence in South Africa. It has since rolled out its services
in South Africa and in 5 other African countries.