New research launched tomorrow identifies a mobile underclass

New research to be launched tomorrow will identify a 'mobile underclass'. The research - 'On the Move: a look at the social uses of mobile and wireless communications', conducted by Local Futures Group is to be launched at an event at IBM's South Bank location (London). Below is the release summarising the conclusions.

NEW RESEARCH IDENTIFIES A MOBILE UNDERCLASS

IBM and the Local Futures Group to release On the Move: a look at the social uses of mobile and wireless communications

London, March 5, 2002: New research, to be launched on Wednesday 6 March, will identify a "mobile underclass". This underclass consists of
people living in remote or rural areas who are excluded from reaping the benefits of new economy jobs and services because technologies which
enable a mobile lifestyle are not available to them.

On the Move asks if mobile technologies can do anything to help alleviate some of the real problems of declining rural economies. What
supporting infrastructure and policies should be put in place to realise the potential of wireless Internet access - and who should be responsible for making the initial investments? It recommends that the public sector has to be the driving force behind take-up of IT and
broadband, as market forces in rural areas are not sufficiently powerful.

The research has also looked at how our democracy could be strengthened by capitalising on young people's love affair with mobile devices, and
suggests some strategies for delivering e-government.

On the Move was written by the Local Futures Group and sponsored by IBM. To obtain a copy of the full report or an executive summary, please
contact Claire Hibbitt on 020 7202 3212, or email hibbittc@uk.ibm.com.

The report will be launched at IBM's South Bank location in London at 6:30pm on Wednesday 6 March. The launch will be a 'Question Time' style
debate, led by the authors of the report and key commentators in this area. If you would like to attend, please contact Catherine Kelso by email on kelsoc@uk.ibm.com.

Notes
The Local Futures Group is a research and strategy consultancy that provides a geographical perspective on economic and social change.
Research, which is carried out in both single projects and broader research programmes covers the knowledge economy and society, e-governance and the new approaches to community development and regeneration.

IBM is the world's leading e-business company, offering a wide range of services, solutions, software and technologies that allow businesses to
take full advantage of the exploding wireless market. IBM's pervasive computing and wireless solutions extend new and existing e-business
applications to the emerging class of connected devices and appliances. IBM has pioneered mobile e-business across many industries, geographic
locations, and the three key business segments: business-to-enterprise; business-to-business; and business-to-consumer. Together with our
partners, we have developed mobile solutions in the health care, financial services, retail, travel and telecommunications industries. More information about IBM can be found on the web at www.ibm.com.

For further information contact:
Claire Hibbitt
IBM UK media relations
T +44 (0)20 7202 3212
M +44 (0)7796 175 248
hibbittc@uk.ibm.com

or

Tricia Defty or Carrie Rosenstone
Ketchum
T +44 (0)20 7611 3552 / 3637
patricia.defty@ketchum.com
carrie.rosenstone@ketchum.com