Birdstep launches SmartRoaming “seamless connectivity and mobility” for Windows Mobile

Oslo/Stockholm - 15. February 2006 - Birdstep Technology (OSE: BIRD) today launched its new client for seamless connectivity and mobility (SmartRoaming) for Windows Mobile. With this announcement, Birdstep Technology has now enhanced its portfolio to cover all major mobile platforms including Windows PC, Windows Mobile and Symbian OS.
As an end-user and enterprise offering, Birdstep recently introduced “SmartRoaming”, a hosted roaming service to provide mobility across cellular and WiFi networks independent of operator or subscription. The service is accessible via devices running the Birdstep SmartRoaming client. The SmartRoaming service will now also cover any Windows Mobile based PDA or Smartphone, allowing users of these devices to enjoy seamless mobility across network boundaries. Now the user will not need to know what network is available, how to connect or worry about security risks. It will be possible to seamlessly access corporate networks, receive e-mails in real-time, do secure Internet banking and much more, comfortably knowing that the best access technology available will be used at all times. Breaks in network connectivity will not mean interruption of the tasks at hand.

SmartRoaming makes sensible use of both the cellular and WiFi features available on devices equipped with multi-network access. The SmartRoaming client detects the networks available at all times, selects from a predefined profile the best choice and negotiates the connection to the network without user intervention. Moving from a less prioritized network to a better connection is done without interrupting the user access to the internet or the applications that require internet access. The hotspot login module makes authentication to existing public WiFi a seamless and automatic experience. All this is done automatically with minimum set up required by the user.

“Birdstep is committed to provide ease of connectivity and seamless mobility clients on the most popular mobile devices. We now have a complete portfolio for Smartphones and PDA’s on both Windows Mobile as well as Symbian OS based platforms.” says CEO of Birdstep Technology, Petri Markkanen.

The Birdstep SmartRoaming Client
The Birdstep SmartRoaming Client supports secure and continuous connectivity between Wireless LAN (also known as guest zones or hotspots) and GSM/GPRS/UMTS/CDMA networks. This market leading client allows users to seamlessly connect and re-connect across different types of infrastructures without application downtime, security degradation or user intervention. The client also mobilizes security components based on SSL VPN solutions as well as thin clients solutions such as Citrix without interruption. The solution also interoperates with authentication methods commercially available in the market. The client gives complete hassle-free mobility without requiring the user to do anything but continue working as normal.


About Birdstep Technology
Birdstep Technology ASA is a public company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE) under ticker ’BIRD’ with head quarters in Oslo, Norway in addition to offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Seattle, USA, as well as offices in Frankfurt, Cambridge (UK), San Francisco, Sao Paolo and Shanghai. In December 2004 Birdstep acquired 100% of the shares in Alice Systems, now Birdstep AB in Sweden. The acquisition makes Birdstep a complete provider of connectivity and mobility solutions for PC, Pocket PC and Smartphone devices that enable operators to improve their customer experience as they move between available networks, e.g. fixed, cellular and wireless connections. The company today employs around 70 people dedicated to development of advanced connectivity and seamless mobility solutions, as well as small footprint, high performance database technologies. Birdstep’s global customers and partners include 3Com, Cisco, Alcatel, Ericsson, Nokia, Nortel Networks, HP, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Sony Ericsson and more than 30 mobile network operators worldwide including T-Mobile Group, Vodafone Group, Orange, TIM, Sprint, Telenor and TeliaSonera. Birdstep offers “SmartRoaming”, a hosted roaming service to provide mobility across networks independent of the operator or subscription. For more information on Birdstep Technology, please visit www.birdstep.com

Contact Information

Stefano Holguin

VP Marketing

Birdstep Technology ASA

Contact via E-mail