New Comverse Solution Allows Mobile Operators to Offer Enterprise Telephony Services

Hosted IP-Based Solution Extends PBX-Like Services to ‘On-the-Go’ Employees

Comverse today announced the launch of its Mobile Centrex solution, which will allow mobile operators to move into the enterprise market by offering advanced telephony services for “on-the-go” employees.

Compatible with all types of mobile phones and advanced enterprise phone systems – commonly known as PBXs – Comverse Mobile Centrex can be used by business customers to connect mobile and office workers in a completely transparent and seamless manner. The new solution, already in initial deployments with major operators around the world, is part of the Comverse Converged IP Centrex solution.

“As the number of enterprise mobile users grows, there is an increasing need for solutions that extend PBX-based telephony services to mobile phone users within the organization,” said Pauline Trotter, Principal Analyst at Ovum. “Until now, many mobile network operators had been reluctant to implement such solutions due to the technical complexity and associated costs.”

The Mobile Centrex solution enables mobile operators to deploy attractive business services that help companies improve employee productivity, such as fixed-mobile features that use the existing corporate dialing plan, PBX-like call features on mobile phones (call transfer and three-way call control), personal conference bridge, and automated attendant.

For mobile operators, the appeal of the enterprise market is clear. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for a business customer of voice services is typically much higher than traditional consumer ARPU. Churn with such services also tends to remain low. Further services integration can be done by using Comverse’s optional direct broadband connection between the corporate PBX and the mobile operator network.

“The enterprise market represents an attractive target for mobile network operators,” said John Bunyan, Chief Marketing Officer at Comverse, the world’s leading supplier of software and systems enabling value-added messaging and content services, converged billing and active customer management, and IP communications.

“Comverse’s Mobile Centrex solution is gaining market acceptance because it has been specifically designed to avoid any complex network integration with existing mobile network infrastructure,” Bunyan said. “As a consequence, it minimizes network impact and ensures rapid deployment and time-to-market.”

About Comverse
Comverse is the world’s leading provider of software and systems enabling value-added services for voice, messaging, mobile Internet and mobile advertising; converged billing and active customer management; and IP communications. Comverse’s extensive customer base spans more than 130 countries and covers over 500 communication service providers serving more than two billion subscribers. The company’s innovative product portfolio enables communication service providers to unleash the value of the network for their customers by making their networks smarter. Comverse’s solutions support flexible deployment models, including in-network, hosted and managed services, and can run on circuit-switched, IP, IMS or converged network environments. Comverse is a subsidiary of Comverse Technology, Inc. (CMVT.PK). For more information, visit www.comverse.com.

Zenprise Introduces Device Manager to Track Lost Smartphones and Improve Remote Diagnostics

New Device Manager Module Strengthens Support for Administrators of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution With Device Locator, Auditing and Performance Features

Zenprise, Inc., a leader in automating mobile management, today released Zenprise Device Manager, a new module for Zenprise MobileManager that enables organizations to remotely support BlackBerry® smartphones. This new module gives help desk personnel and administrators of the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution access to real-time information about BlackBerry smartphones, enabling them to find lost or stolen handsets, proactively monitor and diagnose issues, and audit devices for rogue third party applications. These new capabilities allow organizations to further reduce costs, improve end user service levels and ensure corporate compliance.

Zenprise Device Manager installs a micro agent over the air (OTA), eliminating the need for the user to physically bring their BlackBerry smartphone to IT to enable functionality. Once installed, a help desk operator or BlackBerry Enterprise Solution administrator can make a secure connection with the agent on the smartphone to view real-time information. Information sent from the smartphone to the server includes critical performance statistics, key service book information, and a complete list of applications installed and running. The agent can optionally report back GPS coordinates (if available) from the smartphone, depending on an organization’s privacy policies.

“Similar to OnStar’s ability to locate a stolen vehicle or diagnose problems in a car’s engine, Zenprise can remotely locate a lost mobile device or provide key information on device performance issues,” said Jayaram Bhat, CEO of Zenprise. “With the increasing demand for smartphones and new applications, the ability to quickly diagnose and solve device issues is essential for meeting service level agreements. Zenprise’s Device Manager provides IT with robust tools for tracking, troubleshooting and auditing BlackBerry smartphones — all without impacting the end user.”

BlackBerry smartphones continue to replace laptops in the field as tools for accessing business applications and confidential data. The ability to time stamp and audit use of third party applications, both corporate and consumer, is equally important for protecting against network or enterprise-wide security threats.

“Monitoring for applications that violate corporate policy is becoming a necessity in the enterprise due to the increased popularity of mobile applications,” said Jasmine Noel, founder and partner, Ptak, Noel & Associates. “Even with strict corporate policies, users will unknowingly download applications that impact device performance or introduce security risks to the rest of the corporate network. Solutions such as Zenprise’s Device Manager provides IT administrators with an innovative way to prevent security breaches from rogue applications, while protecting the health of their mobile devices.”

Key features of Zenprise Device Manager include a:

--  Device Locator: The Device Locator feature proactively finds lost or
    stolen GPS-enabled BlackBerry smartphones by pinpointing the exact location
    of the handset on a Google map. Access to this capability can be restricted
    and controlled based on an organization's security and privacy policies.
    This capability is critical to the retrieval of missing handsets, which can
    save organizations millions in lost hardware and corporate data.

--  Device Task Manager: Within Zenprise Device Manager, Zenprise provides
    real-time information on device and application performance. The Device
    Task Manager feature enables IT to drill down and diagnose potential issues
    such as battery temperature, signal strength, available and allocated
    memory, and key service book configurations on a BlackBerry smartphone. The
    ability to find and fix issues remotely significantly lowers costs for
    enterprise IT and improves service levels.

--  Device Auditor: In addition to remotely identifying all third party
    applications installed on a BlackBerry smartphone, the Device Auditor
    feature details which applications are currently running. As a result, an
    IT department could determine if an employee's favorite game is consuming
    too much memory and triggering an issue. By understanding which
    applications are installed and running, Device Manager enables enterprise
    IT to avoid potential security and compliance risks.

Zenprise Device Manager currently supports BlackBerry smartphones running OS version 4.2 or greater and is available as an option of Zenprise MobileManager. Pricing begins at $20 per user. To learn more about Device Manager for BlackBerry Enterprise Solution environments, go to www.zenprise.com/products.

About Zenprise
Zenprise’s award winning software automates mobile management. The software automatically troubleshoots end user issues across BlackBerry®, iPhone, and Windows Mobile environments. Unlike pure monitoring solutions, Zenprise identifies the root cause of end user issues and provides detailed resolution steps to fix these problems. Founded in 2003, Zenprise is headquartered in Fremont, California and is privately held with funding from investors Bay Partners, Ignition Partners, Mayfield Fund, and Shasta Ventures. Zenprise’s executive and product teams bring enterprise software experience from companies such as Mercury, EDS, Zambeel, Bay Networks, and Loudcloud. For more information, go to www.zenprise.com.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

Nortel Enhances Carrier VoIP Portfolio to Upgrade Security, IP Solutions

Nortel Expands Media Gateway 3600, Extends Availability to North American Market

Nortel(i) (Toronto:NT.TO – News)(Other OTC:NRTLQ.PK – News) has enhanced its media gateway portfolio with the latest release of the Media Gateway (MG) 3600. The MG 3600, originally available in Europe, CALA, and Asia, is now available across North America and has added features including security enhancements.

Nortel’s MG 3600 is a carrier-grade, medium density VoIP trunk gateway that offers service providers a cost-effective way to reach to smaller markets that require less network capacity than densely populated areas. The latest release of the gateway has been updated to meet the technical standards and requirements of North American service providers. In addition new features have been added including security enhancements that can reduce security threats for service providers and help ensure their communications systems perform uninterrupted.

“Nortel’s MG 3600 is a key element of the company’s Transit and Multimedia Interconnect solution. We have taken our expertise from the MG 15000, one of the world’s leading gateways for high capacity networks, and applied it to the MG 3600 to give service providers a cost-effective way to bring carrier-grade voice and multimedia services to less populated markets,” said Samih Elhage, president, Carrier VoIP and Applications Solutions, Nortel. “Having access to a smaller sized gateway at a lower cost allows carriers to access more markets in a more cost-effective way. The MG 3600 also allows for capacity to be added in smaller increments than a gateway made to serve a large, densely populated region so it scales at the right ratio and cost for smaller markets. Even though smaller, this product still offers complete carrier-grade options. The latest release of the MG 3600 includes new security features such as encryption on the signaling channel that protects the networks from attacks that could cause loss of service.”

The MG 3600 has an easy to use, intuitive, and integrated management system that helps reduce service provider’s operational costs. Nortel’s class 4 VoIP trunking solutions, together with Nortel’s media gateway portfolio has proven to generate 80% cost saving between capital expenses and operational expenses when migrating from TDM to VoIP.

The MG 3600 monitors voice performance and identifies problems in the voice path to ensure high quality voice communication. In addition to extensive voice and PSTN features, the MG 3600 also provides a reliable fax and modem transport solution, all on a single platform. The solution has greater than 99.999% reliability which helps provide seamless, uninterrupted service. Its advanced voice processing features enable high quality voice over DSL or high-speed IP networks.

The latest release of Nortel’s MG 3600 also introduces a small AC-powered version of the existing DC-powered shelf that provides capacity up to 80 T1 or E1 spans. The larger DC-powered shelf offers capacity for up to 128 T1 or E1 spans. Nortel’s MG 3600 provides this level of capacity in a small footprint and uses less energy than larger density gateways, which makes it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution – especially for regional or rural service providers. Nortel’s MG 3600 also provides the capability to connect VoIP networks to other long distance networks, networks operated by other carriers, and individual business networks.

As part of Nortel’s Transit and Multimedia interconnect solutions, the enhanced MG 3600 complements Nortel’s existing Trunk Media Gateway portfolio which includes the high density MG 15000 and low density MG 3200 products. Nortel’s Media Gateway portfolio maximizes service offerings while bridging TDM networks to next-generation packet networks in line with IMS and IP standards.

According to Dell’Oro Group(ii), Nortel is the worldwide leader in carrier VoIP and has maintained that position since 2002. Nortel has shipped more than 100 million carrier IP voice and multimedia ports to over 320 carriers globally. Nortel provides VoIP solutions to two thirds of IDC’s worldwide listing of top 20 carriers (by revenue).

About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel’s technologies are designed to help eliminate today’s barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

RIM Further Extends Push Technology to BlackBerry Developers

Real-time content delivery builds value into mobile applications for consumers

Research In Motion (RIM) (NasdaqGS:RIMM – News)(Toronto:RIM.TO – News) today announced the availability of a new BlackBerry push API (application programming interface) that will enable developers to push real-time content to BlackBerry® smartphones.

RIM is extending its existing, well-proven push technology from the enterprise into the consumer space, allowing developers to leverage push technology for BlackBerry® applications targeted at consumers. Push technology provides a proactive mechanism for developers to deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as it becomes available. It brings immediacy to mobile communications with real-time content, preserves battery life, and minimizes data usage by eliminating the need for “poking” and “polling” servers. RIM’s unique push technology significantly enhances the user experience and provides a proactive mechanism for developers to deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as the data becomes available.

“Push technology has previously been available to corporate developers with the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution, and is built into a range of smartphone applications for business,” said Alan Brenner, Senior Vice President, BlackBerry Platforms at Research In Motion. “With the availability of this push API, BlackBerry developers can build true push technology into their Java-based consumer applications and enhance the user experience by delivering valuable content to users in real time.”

The new BlackBerry push API allows developers to push content, as well as alerts, to BlackBerry smartphone users. Users will not have to wait for lengthy content downloads once alerts are received.

Push APIs for browser content are the foundation of the BlackBerry® Web Signals service launched by RIM in October 2008. (http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=1870.) BlackBerry Web Signals technology enables online content providers to push alerts to BlackBerry smartphone users when relevant content has been published or updated and supports one-click access from an icon to the online information.

The BlackBerry push API is ideal for mobile applications that deliver value by providing real-time content and updates, including news, weather, banking, medical, IT services applications and games. Several organizations are already developing applications with the BlackBerry push API, including:

- DevelopIQ – The 7digital Music Store allows users to browse, search, discover and purchase high quality, DRM-free MP3 music from their BlackBerry smartphones. Purchases made on the move are automatically replaced with high quality versions when the user returns home via Wi-Fi Auto-Sync. The 7digital Music Store will use the BlackBerry push API to ensure that purchases the user makes on 7digitial.com are automatically delivered to their BlackBerry smartphone.

- Handmark® – With the new BlackBerry push API technology, the Pocket Express® news and information service from Handmark can alert customers of breaking news, sports stats, weather alerts, flight status updates and other information immediately as it happens. This offers a more timely, relevant and engaging experience for customers.

- Salesplace – SalesNOW will leverage the BlackBerry push API to give customers the ability to send immediate notifications, such as sales leads, service requests, client calls and appointments, to sales and service reps in the field.

- The Hockey News – Powered by Polar Mobile, The Hockey News application gives fans real-time score updates, late-breaking news headlines, player statistics, team standings and expert analysis from across the NHL. The Hockey News will leverage the BlackBerry push API to keep fans up to date with the latest scores sent directly to their BlackBerry smartphones.

The BlackBerry push API is available exclusively to BlackBerry® Alliance Program members. For more information about the BlackBerry Alliance Program, visit www.blackberry.com/go/alliances.

For more information about BlackBerry push APIs, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/pushapi.

About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NasdaqGS:RIMM – News) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (Toronto:RIM.TO – News). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server Becomes First Mobile Platform to Achieve Common Criteria EAL4+ Certification

Research In Motion (RIM) (NasdaqGS:RIMM – News)(Toronto:RIM.TO – News) today announced that BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 5.0 has been awarded Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4+ (EAL4+) certification. Common Criteria is an international standard for evaluating security products. Widely respected for its extensive and comprehensive evaluation by an independent third party, EAL4+ accreditation examines the design, software development methodology, and security mechanisms of BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

“As a market leader in delivering secure, mobile solutions, RIM is committed to achieving independent, third party approvals and certifications of the BlackBerry security architecture,” said Scott Totzke, Vice President, BlackBerry Security Group at RIM. “We are pleased that BlackBerry Enterprise Server is the first mobile platform to have earned this rigorous certification. This achievement is a testament to RIM’s ongoing commitment to meet the needs of security-conscious businesses and government organizations.”

“Security remains one of the most important considerations when enterprises deploy or expand the use of mobile devices. Regulated industries such as those in the financial, insurance, investments, retail, legal, healthcare, and public sectors cannot afford to deploy anything that could compromise their data/records security or prevent meeting regulatory compliance requirements,” said Jack Gold, President and Principal Analyst of J. Gold Associates. “Choosing mobile platforms that have obtained a variety of internationally recognized security certifications is a requirement to enable companies to achieve the highest levels of inherent security and allow them to feel confident about deploying such solutions throughout their organizations.”

The Common Criteria is an international standard for validating that IT products meet specific security requirements. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server software has been independently evaluated by a third-party Common Criteria evaluation facility and meets the security criteria for EAL 4+. This evaluation assurance level is accepted under the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) by 26 countries including:

- Australia
- Austria
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States

The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is used by thousands of security-conscious organizations and governments around the world, and has passed rigorous security assessments by many of the leading security institutions around the world.

The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution has been certified by Fraunhofer Institute SIT, and has been approved for use under the CAPS program in the UK. The solution has also had several FIPS-140 validations for its embedded encryption module.

The EAL4+ certification for BlackBerry Enterprise Server is expected to be posted on the Common Criteria Portal later this month (http://www.commoncriteriaportal.org/). BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 is currently being tested and is expected to be awarded EAL4+ certification closer to the time of software availability later this year.

To find out more about BlackBerry security certifications please visit www.blackberry.com/go/security.

About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NasdaqGS:RIMM – News) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (Toronto:RIM.TO – News). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.