//The Netherlands sees first launch of Zed mobile services outside Finland
August 15, 2000
Sonera Zed, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonera Corporation, today launched its mobile value added services through KPN's mobile network in the Netherlands. Zed turns the mobile device into a personalised communications and information portal. It enables flexible, easy-to-use communication, information and entertainment services, and is available in the Netherlands via the KPN network. The Zed brand was launched in Finland - the most advanced market for mobile communications in the world - in October 1999. Zed already has more than 700,000 regular users a month in Finland.
Henk Buurman, CEO Sonera Zed Nederland BV said: "As Dutch consumers have an advanced understanding of mobile technology, we are very pleased that Holland will be the first launch country in the rollout of Zed across the world. The high level of mobile penetration and positive attitude towards mobile services make the Netherlands the ideal launch pad for Zed."
Zed is currently working with operator partners in the USA (Powertel), Turkey (Turkcell), Germany (Hutchison Telecom), Singapore (Mobile One) and the Philippines (Smart Communications) as part of a considerable expansion in key global markets. The UK service is also expected to be launched later this year. Zed's further launches will include several key markets around the globe, with announcements to be made in the near future. Zed's services range from comprehensive business and travel information to leisure and entertainment guides. Currently available over an SMS platform, users can send a short, memorable key word text message to Zed, and the service will respond with the chosen information. For example, Zed can get you out of a traffic jam, tell you what you can see at your local cinema, or let you know when your football team wins an important game. By logging on to the supporting website, www.zed.com, users can personalise Zed to complement their lifestyles. Zed will deliver the information they want at the specified time they need it.
Juha Varelius, Global CEO of Sonera Zed said: "One of the most important features of Zed is that it understands the user's mobility and need for freedom. We have taken into account the various situations where the need for information arises when setting up the content and applications. Zed gathers up both international and local services that are essential to a mobile user and then provides the services in the user's local language. We believe that this is what makes Zed extremely attractive not only to our customers, but also to all our partners, both operators and content suppliers."
Later this year Zed's services will also be available via WAP in the key markets, although WAP has been in use in Finland for some time. With its unique combination of WAP and SMS services the Zed service is independent of technology and device, making it one of the most flexible portals on the market.
About Zed
Zed is a pioneer in global personalised intelligent services for wireless devices combining the best features of mobile communications and the Internet. Zed was conceived, designed and built to support and promote true mobility in both consumer and corporate environments. The range of Zed services turn the wireless device into a communications, information and mobile commerce tool. Currently Zed services are available in SMS and WAP environments, with the ability to expand the services into future technologies, GPRS and UMTS. At the end of June 2000, Zed had over 700,000 monthly users out of Sonera's 2.2million GSM customers in Finland. Of these active Zed customers, 30% had registered at Zed's Finnish website in order to personalise their services. Sonera Zed Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonera Corporation. Zed's headquarters are located in the UK. More information on Zed can be found at zed.com.
For further information please contact:
Hill and Knowlton UK
Katie Jones@hillandknowlton.com
Jeannette Crockett@hillandknowlton.com
Tel: +44 207 413 3000
Sonera Zed Ltd
Chembi Merser
chembi.merser@sonera.com
Tel: +44 208 606 6000
Sonera (HEX: SRA, NASDAQ: SNRA) is an international forerunner in mobile communications and mobile-based services and applications. By combining its expertise in mobile communications, the Internet and service provision, Sonera aims to develop into a global communications operator and provider of transaction and content services. The company also provides advanced data communications solutions to businesses, and fixed network voice services in Finland and its nearby areas. In 1999, Sonera's revenues amounted to EUR 1.85 billion and profit before extraordinary items and taxes was EUR 0.5 billion.
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sonera.fi
/Joar |
