A New Era of Directory Assistance

Dramatic cost reduction with voice automation and added value with Location Based Services from varetis

Munich, March 22, 2002 -- Innovative Location Based Services (LBS) and voice automation that reduces operating costs will define the future of directory assistance, according to Munich-based varetis AG. As it prepares to host its 5th Global varetis Directory Forum on April 17-19, in Miami, the world's leading provider of professional and innovative directory solutions said it believes that an enormous potential for cost-savings exists on the American directory assistance market in particular.

"Fully automated directory assistance continues to gain in importance as an enhancement to attendant-backed directory assistance," noted Günther Baierl, the CEO of varetis AG. "And when combined with Location Based Services (LBS), ultrafast search engines and excellent and friendly service, it will become clear who holds the better cards in the pitched battle for end customers. Without a doubt, if you're talking about generating revenue today, you have to talk about cutting costs by saving time, winning new customers and getting close to them with personal services," he added.

Market analyst Ovum sees worldwide revenues from Location Based Services rocketing from USD 119 million in 2001 to USD 19.413 billion by 2006; it also estimates that by the same year around 29 percent of all mobile calls will take advantage of such services. Substantial revenue jumps are expected above all in the United States, Asia and Western Europe. But, Baierl noted, "This potential can only be realized with mature solutions that take customer satisfaction into account at every turn."

The professional directory assistance community will find out in Miami how Location Based Services and voice automation can work hand in hand to achieve this. The varetis Automated Directory Inquiry System (ADIS) can automate all business and residential listings in the United States and can be seamlessly integrated into existing installations there. Where addresses are geo-coded, ADIS can enable varetis' LBS systems to achieve an unprecedented positioning accuracy of as little as 10 meters. varetis offers LBS as part of its Service Platform, which also features the Category Finder, Dynamic Content Publishing, Missed Call Identification, Geocoding and a number of other innovative components and applications. These can be quickly and individually building-blocked to meet the exact needs of carriers and service providers, and the information callers need can be sent via automated voice, call center, SMS and WAP, as well as GPRS and UMTS in the future.

At the 5th Global varetis Directory Forum, telecommunications professionals from around the world will also learn firsthand how international directory assistance markets are growing and changing. The internationally established event will use regional market demands in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe as the backdrop for discussing cost reduction, seamless integration into existing systems, ways of impressing and satisfying customers and the competitive advantages of leading-edge Location Based Services and voice automation solutions.

About varetis:
varetis AG is the worlds premier provider of professional directory solutions for carriers and information service providers. More than 240 telephone service centers and nearly 18,000 agent positions worldwide use products and services from varetis AG. On all continents, distinguished customers such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Telkom South Africa, TOT Thailand and Telecom New Zealand benefit from the nearly 20 years of experience the enterprise has amassed. varetis AG currently employs around 280 people at its headquarters in Munich, at subsidiaries in Great Britain, Hungary, the United States and Singapore, and at branch offices in Switzerland and Brazil. varetis AG (WKN 691 190) has been listed on the German Neuer Markt since February 7, 2000.

Save the Date: World market and technology leader varetis AG will be hosting the 5th Global varetis Directory Forum on April 17-19, 2002, in Miami. The symposium will bring carriers and information service providers up to date on the newest trends and opportunities on the international directory assistance market. Among issues addressed will be voice automation, Location Based Services and new opportunities created by the deregulation of telecommunications markets.