First Hop and BMD Wireless Form Strategic Partnership

First Hop Ltd, the messaging management company, and bmd wireless, the supplier of core network messaging solutions today announced a comprehensive strategic relationship to provide best--in-class messaging solutions for mobile operators and service providers. The companies are global leaders in their respective fields, First Hop in messaging management and wireless connectivity, bmd wireless in core network products for messaging solutions.

Content and application based mobile messaging is growing extremely fast, calling for complete platform solutions that support simple-to-use, globally accessible SMS and MMS services with rich routing, billing, service provider and business management capabilities. According to Frost and Sullivan, the share of non person-to-person SMS and MMS messaging is constantly increasing and will cover over 25% of total messaging revenue in four years.

The two companies will join forces to facilitate engineering, marketing and sales initiatives and deploy end-to-end messaging solutions that enable mobile operators and service providers to offer enhanced subscriber services, maximise revenue potential, and reduce operating costs. The initiative will combine bmds core network messaging portfolio with First Hops messaging management solutions, which are very complementary and designed to meet the unique needs and performance requirements of the telecommunications industry.

The combined solution of the two companies offers an end-to-end, globally accessible messaging service solution with unique service provisioning capabilities, agile business process and service-level management with external service providers and enhanced business-reporting facilities. It enables the mobile operator to maintain an evolutionary, dynamic messaging service portfolio, where services can be offered to an extended, global subscriber base.

"As a leading provider of core network messaging solutions, bmd wireless has built a solid reputation by deploying the most advanced, high performance and reliable cross network SMS platforms to mobile operators and service providers throughout the world," said Timo Laaksonen, Chief Executive Officer of First Hop. "bmds SS7 (Signaling System 7) based messaging solutions add value to First Hop's messaging management products in a very fast, cost-effective, and secure way."

We are delighted to work together with First Hop, who has a solid track record of competitive, production-proven products used by noteworthy international customers. First Hop and bmd are committed to providing high quality, high performance systems that exceed our customer expectations and deliver a quick return on investment. Our partnership with First Hop is a natural next step as both companies continue to lead the market through innovation combined with unparalleled real-world experience," said Christopher Tiensch, Chief Executive Officer of bmd wireless. This partnership will further enhance both companies position to deliver world-class messaging solutions to customers and increase worldwide presence, which is at the cornerstone of our cooperation."

bmd wireless and First Hop will demonstrate their combined solution at CommunicAsia 2002 (June 18-21 in Singapore) with one of Europes most innovative operators. Please visit First Hop at the booth 6H1-03 and bmd wireless at the HP booth.

# # #

About First Hop
First Hop provides scalable messaging management and wireless connectivity products for mobile operators and service providers. A proven leader in multi-vendor messaging solutions, First Hop generates immediate business benefits and provides a clear evolution path to future technologies. Founded in 1997, First Hop is a privately held company with offices in Finland, Singapore and the UK.

First Hop Message Router provides applications with multi-standard messaging connectivity (SMS/Smart Messaging/EMS/MMS) through a wide selection of application interfaces. First Hop Messaging Manager enables flexible service provisioning, enhanced business-reporting, agile business process, and service-level management. For further information, please visit www.firsthop.com

About bmd wireless
Founded in 1994, bmd wireless AG is a Swiss based corporation that develops core network software products for wireless network operators and provides related implementation, operation and maintenance services. bmd wireless is the leading solution provider of interactive cross network SMS platforms and provides a comprehensive range of innovative products.

bmds Wireless Application Messaging Server (WAMS) enables mobile operators and third parties to offer global cross network SMS based value added services and applications. The WAMS is the most widely deployed cross network platform in the world, delivering unrivalled performance and availability by utilizing built in store and forward functionality. For further information, please visit www.bmdwireless.com