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European consortium defines next generation mobile services with Near Field Communication (NFC)

European Commission co-funded initiative to speed the development of NFC applications

Budapest, Hungary - 30 January 2007 – A pan-European consortium of companies, universities and user groups has been created to develop an open architecture for the development, deployment and use of NFC-enabled applications in mobile handsets. Co-funded by the European Commission (EU), Information Society Technologies (IST) program, the ‘Store Logistics and Payment with NFC’ (StoLPaN) project aims to define open commercial and technical frameworks for NFC-enabled services on mobile devices. These frameworks will facilitate the deployment of NFC-enabled mobile applications across a wide range of vertical markets, regardless of the phone type and the nature of the services required.

The consortium members involved are Motorola, NXP Semiconductors, Auto-ID-Lab St. Gallen, Banca Popolare di Vicenza, Bull, Baker&McKenzie, Consorzio Triveneto S.P.A., Consult Hyperion, Deloitte, Fornax, Libri, Safepay Systems, Sun Microsystems, T-Systems, as well as the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, and Budapest Tech John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics.

Many industries are employing contactless applications in increasing numbers for applications such as payment and transport ticketing. This suggests that the mobile phone may soon be complementary to cash and service cards. Recent announcements, such as the launch of contactless payment cards and terminals in London later this year, and the efforts of the GSM Association for NFC standardization, clearly demonstrate the drive towards contactless services in the industry. NFC trials conducted around the world proved that consumers like the simplicity of using the mobile phone to access and securely pay for entertainment, information and services while on the move.

In order to accurately address the interoperability issues currently affecting the technology, various usage cases are to be defined within the StoLPaN framework and tested throughout Europe. These use cases will contribute to the identification of a common set of business rules, which will define the roles and responsibilities of every player in the NFC ecosystem. The results will then be submitted for approval to the relevant industry bodies for standardization of payments, mobile, transit and ticketing.

Based on these findings, the consortium will look into the specifications for technical requirements and the security aspects of NFC-enabled applications. They will also explore the connection to existing contactless platforms, easing the burden on individual providers. At the same time the project team will demonstrate how the business rules and technical requirements can be implemented in existing contactless infrastructures. A NFC host application will be developed to support a range of services, including payment, access control, ticketing, loyalty, connectivity, and the retail check-out process; which consumers will be able to use with any NFC-enabled device.

"StoLPaN opens up new prospects for a forward looking framework for applying secure and easy-to-use mobile NFC applications, within the payment, mobile, transit and ticketing industries" said Gérald Santucci, Head of the ICT for Enterprise Networking unit of the European Commission's Information Society and Media DG. "This should help ensure that they - and their end-users - really benefit from the full potential of these technologies."

“With NFC-enabled mobile devices you should soon be able to provide a variety of services, based on either the contactless interface or over-the-air-download, replacing the need for physical credit, loyalty, bank or transportation cards,” said Alan Wright, head of strategy and new business development, Motorola Mobile Devices, Europe. “The StoLPaN project aims to make this vision a reality for many operators, financial service providers, merchants, and mobile subscribers.”

“We aim to create, an ecosystem that affords any NFC user the opportunity to access any NFC service,” said Marc de Jong, Executive Vice President and General Manager, NXP Semiconductors. “Successful completion of the StoLPaN project will enable a truly mobile lifestyle for consumers and will also create value for the whole chain of handset manufacturers, mobile operators, financial services providers and retailers.”

The StoLPaN project team expects to issue its first version of the business rules and technical requirements by the summer of 2007. These will be accompanied by the first version of the host application; demonstrating its use with transport and closed payment applications. The StoLPaN project is scheduled for completion by 2009.


About StolPaN
The ‘Store Logistics and Payment with NFC’ (StoLPaN) project, co-funded by the European Union (EU), Information Society Technology (IST) program, aims to define open commercial and technical frameworks for NFC-enabled services on mobile devices. This will facilitate the deployment of NFC-enabled mobile applications across a wide range of vertical markets, regardless of the phone type and the nature of the services required. The consortium members involved are Auto-ID-Lab St. Gallen, Banca Popolare di Vicenza, Bull, Baker&McKenzie, Consorzio Triveneto S.P.A., Consult Hyperion, Deloitte, Fornax, Libri, Motorola, NXP Semiconductors, Safepay Systems, Sun Microsystems, T-Systems, as well as the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Budapest Tech John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics.

More information can be found at the project website www.stolpan.com, or send inquires to info@stolpan.com.



About NXP Semiconductors
NXP is a top 10 semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has 37,000 employees working in 20 countries across the world. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in mobile phones, personal media players, TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at www.NXP.com

Source:  Motorola press release 

Motorola Wins Jiangsu Mobile’s Contract for Location Based Services

Deal will bring new location-based services to mobile phone users in China’s thriving Yangtze River basin

Beijing - January 31, 2007 – Motorola, Inc (NYSE: MOT) today announced that Jiangsu Mobile Communications Corporation (JSMCC), the Jiangsu-province branch of China Mobile, will deploy Motorola’s solution for location-based mobile telecommunications services. The agreement will enable JSMCC to provide location-based value added services to 20 million subscribers in Jiangsu province.

JSMCC is the twelfth provincial branch of China Mobile to adopt Motorola’s solution for location-based services. The contract between JSMCC and Motorola was signed on December 21, 2006 and is a significant win for Motorola Networks & Enterprise, which is steadily increasing its services business in China. The agreement also demonstrates Motorola’s solid relationship with JSMCC as a supplier of mobile telecommunications services.

“Value added services are the key to growth for operators facing rising competitive pressure and declining voice revenue, and Motorola is committed to enabling operators to increase ARPU by offering a complete, end-to-end portfolio of services, applications and seamless mobility solutions.” said T.K. Ng, general manager of services, Motorola China Networks & Enterprise. “With people demanding ever greater access to information, even while on the move, location-based services are among the most profitable value-added services for operators. We’re pleased to be selected by JSMCC, and look forward to helping them create intelligent, localized services that excite customers and create new business opportunities.”

Location-based services use the mobile telecommunication network to offer customized information and applications based on a user’s location. JSMCC’s new location-based services are expected to go live in February 2007. They include applications such as mobile yellow pages, which direct users to nearby outlets e.g. gas stations, restaurants and bookstores.

The Motorola Services team offers expertise to help mobile telecoms operators like JSMCC succeed with a series of compelling services and applications. By enabling location-based services in the Yangtze delta, one of China’s most economically vibrant areas, the deal with JSMCC is expected to showcase the capabilities of Motorola Services group, and to help drive similar opportunities in other regions of China.

Source:  Motorola press release

Maxis Embarks on Mobile WiMAX trial with Motorola

Trial will be first in Kuala Lumpur to provide residential wireless broadband connectivity through a 2.5GHz mobile WiMAX network

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - 30 January 2007 - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and Maxis Communications Berhad (KLSE: MAXIS) today announced a successful call from the first mobile WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) site in Malaysia’s City Centre - Kuala Lumpur City Centre ( KLCC). KLCC is among four Maxis live trial sites using Motorola’s WiMAX solution on 2.5GHz spectrum. This also marks Motorola’s first mobile WiMAX live trial in Southeast Asia.

The live trial, consisting of four sites in downtown Kuala Lumpur, when completed in the second quarter of 2007, will provide full wireless connectivity and access to residential broadband users. All trial sites are being monitored by an EMS (Element Management System) Portal. This will enable Maxis to assess WiMAX traffic channelling capabilities and further evaluate the full mobility and performance of Motorola’s suite of mobile WiMAX solutions in the 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz frequency bands.

“Mobile WiMAX plays a critical role in our wireless broadband strategy. We see mobile WiMAX as an essential and complementary service to our ongoing HSDPA deployment due to its progressive capacity management capabilities for high broadband traffic. We are excited to work with Motorola on this trial as they are one of the first providers to offer the most advanced commercial 802.16e standard mobile WiMAX equipment on the market.” said Dr Nikolai Dobberstein, senior general manager for Products & New Businesses, Maxis Communications Berhad.

“We are extremely delighted to be collaborating with Maxis, Malaysia’s leading mobile telecommunications provider, in this live trial. The mobile WiMAX will certainly give Maxis an edge in extending more innovative, prompt and value-added services to its subscribers,” said K.M Yee, senior director of sales, Networks & Enterprise, Motorola Electronics Sdn Bhd.

In Asia Pacific, Motorola has WiMAX deployments already underway. These include Wateen Telecom-Pakistan, part of Warid Telecom International, to roll out a nationwide WiMAX 802.16e network in Pakistan and Agni Systems Ltd, an Internet service provider (ISP) in Bangladesh. Agni has started a phased WiMAX deployment to provide wireless broadband access in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh

“These ongoing deployments and trials across the region, including this trial with Maxis, demonstrate the potential of WiMAX to be a viable and crucial wireless technology in helping the local telecommunication community to roll out broadband services,” Yee said. “As a global leader in wireless communications, Motorola is well positioned to provide forward looking Malaysian telecommunication operators the assistance in making broadband connections available to more than 75 percent of households in Malaysia by 2010.”

Globally, Motorola has been driving the development of WiMAX through strong industry alliances and collaborative agreements with industry-leading companies. In the United States, Motorola was selected by Sprint Nextel as a vendor for its nationwide WiMAX network; while Clearwire selected Motorola’s WiMAX technology for its nationwide broadband network.

About Maxis Group
The Maxis Group is the region’s emerging mobile telecommunications Group with nearly 13 million customers and group annual revenue of RM5.6 billion as at 30 September 2006.  It has operations in Malaysia, India through subsidiary, Aircel Limited, and Indonesia through PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler. 

The Group has a 5,000 strong workforce and is the sixth largest public listed company in Malaysia as at 30 September 2006.  Its vision is to be a ‘Regional Communications Leader of Choice’ by delivering service excellence and innovative solutions that bring people together.  For more information, please visit www.maxis.com.my

Source:  Motorola press release

Motorola Invests in DARTdevices

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and SCHAUMBURG, IL, – January 30, 2007 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) and DARTdevices Corporation, a developer of a disruptive software technology for consumer devices, today announced that Motorola Ventures, the strategic venture arm of Motorola, has made a Series A investment in the company. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Founded in 2003, DARTdevices has developed software that lets multiple consumer devices directly access the combined content and applications of any DART-enabled device such as mobile phones and PCs. DART software seamlessly addresses the software distribution, versioning, security, hardware compatibility and synchronization issues typically associated with device-to-device interaction.

“DART’s solution, which helps facilitate interoperability for multiple applications on disparate devices, aligns well with Motorola’s vision of seamless mobility,” said Tony Palcheck, investment manager, Motorola Ventures. “Their software allows wired and wireless distribution of applications, games and information such as music, photos, video, calendars and data, across mobile phones, PCs, Internet servers, PDAs, set-tops, MP3 players and DVRs.”

“Motorola is a global leader in mobile communications products, as well as home multimedia solutions. They are driving innovation in this field by making the people, content, and services important to consumers easily accessible and always within reach,” said Richard Mirabella, CEO, DARTdevices.

As the second most active globally focused corporate venture capital arm, Motorola Ventures invests in a diversified portfolio of technology firms, and is intensely focused on helping to accelerate Motorola's seamless mobility vision.

DARTdevices will demonstrate its new technology publicly for the first time at the DEMO 2007 conference, Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2007, Palm Desert, Calif.

About DARTdevices Corporation
DARTdevices is a developer of new enabling software technology that unleashes the potential markets for communicating applications and devices. The company was founded by successful entrepreneurs responsible for creating and bringing to market some of the world's leading operating systems, enterprise DRM systems, security technology and media players. DARTdevices is a private company, funded, in part, by Motorola. For more information, visit www.dartdevices.com

Source:  Motorola press release

Motorola & Brightstar Sign Global Distribution Agreement

LIBERTYVILLE, IL & MIAMI – January 29, 2007 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT), a global leader in mobile communications and seamless mobility solutions, today announced a global distribution agreement with Brightstar Corp., the world’s leading wireless distribution and supply-chain solutions company.

The agreement establishes a framework for the companies’ expanding relationship around the world and outlines the process for Brightstar to sell, distribute and support Motorola mobile devices in key markets.

“Motorola is working aggressively to build our brand strength, as well as our distribution reach, in markets throughout the world,” said Ron Garriques, executive vice president of Motorola and president of the Motorola Mobile Devices business. “Brightstar’s expertise is proven, and they bring rapidly expanding capabilities that can help us seize and capitalize on market opportunities.”

“This is an important agreement. For over five years, Brightstar has worked closely with Motorola’s leadership to provide the highest level of value-added distribution service, helping to drive products to thousands of points of sale and millions of consumers,” said R. Marcelo Claure, president & CEO of Brightstar Corp. “Under the terms of this agreement, our expertise in supporting Motorola’s market-leading products and global brand will be tapped in new markets around the world.”

Through the global distribution agreement, Brightstar is responsible for extending Motorola’s brand penetration through sales and fulfilment of Motorola handsets to network operators, agents and dealers, retailers, distributors and consumers.

Motorola and Brightstar have a long-standing relationship, which began in June of 2001 when Motorola named Brightstar as its authorized master services distributor for Latin America. This agreement was further strengthened when the companies signed a multi-year agreement to support the Motorola brand in the United States in 2001. In 2005, Brightstar began the sales and distribution of Motorola devices into Australia through its strategic sourcing agreement with Telstra. Also in 2005, Brightstar began to sell Motorola devices in other regions of the world.

As part of its strategic growth plan, Brightstar has expanded its infrastructure in many markets to support network operators with comprehensive supply-chain solutions and distribution services, including the sale and support of Motorola mobile devices. In the past 12 months, Brightstar has opened facilities and established a number of distribution hubs in Hong Kong, the Middle East & Africa and Southeast Asia.

About Brightstar

Brightstar Corp. is the largest wireless distributor and supply chain solutions provider in the world. Headquartered in Miami, FL, Brightstar has facilities in over 30 countries, serving customers on six continents. The company provides solutions to over 220 network operators and 30,000 MVNOs, resellers, retailers and agents around the world and also represents many of the world’s leading wireless manufacturers. In 2005, Brightstar exceeded $2.25 billion in revenue. The company expects to exceed $3.3 billion in 2006. For more information, visit www.brightstarcorp.com .

Source:  Motorola press release

Motorola Expands Strategic Relationship with Texas Instruments to Include High-Volume 3G, WiMAX and OMAP™ Technologies

Breadth of Relationship Now Spans Current and Future Experience-Rich Designs

LIBERTYVILLE, IL & DALLAS – January 29, 2007 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT), a global leader in mobile communications and seamless mobility solutions, and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:TXN), a global leader in silicon solutions for wireless communications, today announced that the companies are expanding their strategic relationship to include 3G, WiMAX and OMAP™ technologies in the design and development of new, experience-optimised mobile devices. The expanded relationship covers current, emerging and next-generation wireless standards and leverages intellectual property from both Motorola and TI.

As part of the expansion, Motorola is developing 3G handsets based on a TI customized 3G solution that will include high-performance, power-efficient processors from TI’s OMAP 3 architecture, as well as advanced, unique 3G and 3.5G building blocks from both Motorola and TI. New handsets using this solution are expected to be available to consumers as early as 2008.

Additionally, TI is supporting Motorola’s mobile WiMAX initiative, including development of a customized Motorola WiMAX solution, and providing digital design elements, high-performance analogue components, RF solutions, and manufacturing process and fabrication expertise. The solution will focus on core 802.16e mobile WiMAX functionality supporting voice, video and data for low-power mobile applications. The solution will be manufactured in 65nm and is expected to be ready to support production of new mobile devices that Motorola plans to launch during 2008.

“Motorola is working aggressively to design and deliver the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of mobile devices that unite market-leading ‘must have’ design with fully optimised and unmatched ‘must do’ experiences,” said Ron Garriques, executive vice president of Motorola and president of Motorola’s Mobile Devices business. “TI is a highly valued supplier, and I am excited about the opportunities that we are pursuing together. Both of our companies are proven pioneers of innovation. Through our close collaboration on chipset technology, Motorola has developed mobile devices that are not only feature rich and affordable but also aspirational. Today’s announcement significantly expands what Motorola will be bringing to market in the future.”

To meet the growing need for affordable multimedia-rich capabilities in handsets, Motorola has also selected solutions from TI’s OMAP 2 and OMAP 3 product portfolio and OMAP-Vox™ family, including the OMAPV1035 GSM/GPRS/EDGE single-chip solution from the “eCosto” platform and the OMAPV1030 GSM/GPRS/EDGE chipset. Motorola plans to use the OMAPV1035 solution, which leverages TI’s innovative DRP™ technology, in new low-cost multimedia mobile devices expected to be in the market in 2008. Motorola also plans to use the OMAPV1030 chipset in new mid-range multimedia mobile devices expected to be in the market later this year.

“Motorola is a market leader committed to delivering innovative handsets that address the growing wireless landscape,” said Rich Templeton, president and CEO of TI. “TI is delighted to expand its strong relationship with Motorola as we work closely with them to deliver the products and solutions they need. From 2.5G to 3G to the next generation of wireless standards such as WiMAX, Motorola’s diverse market requirements fit well with the depth and strength of TI’s proven product portfolio.”

About Texas Instruments – Making Wireless

TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless technology and building solutions for tomorrow.  TI provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, A-GPS, mobile TV and Ultra Wideband.  TI offers custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets and reference designs, OMAP™ application processors, as well as core digital signal processor and analogue technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes.  Please visit www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for additional information.

About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analogue technologies to meet our customers’ real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the Education Technology business. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at www.ti.com.

Source:  Motorola press release

Motorola Makes TETRA Ready for Take-Off at Munich Airport

Innovative digital radio system & terminals optimise communication infrastructure for Germany’s second-largest airport

TAUNUSSTEIN, Germany - 29 January 2007 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced today that it has won a contract to supply a TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked RAdio) digital radio system to Munich Airport, the second largest airport in Germany. The contract also includes TETRA devices for mobile voice and data communication. The deployment of the digital TETRA radio network is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2007.

The digital radio system will support airport operations such as fleet, freight and logistics management. Motorola’s Dimetra IP system, the latest in TETRA technology, will also provide Munich Airport with fail-safe seamless communication. Due to sophisticated voice technology, for example, even the loud background noise typical at airports will not interfere with the communications. In addition to voice, Dimetra IP enables secure data communication and is scalable to support future network growth.

Motorola will supply a complete Dimetra IP TETRA communications solution to Munich Airport, utilizing Motorola’s IP TETRA switch and the MTS TETRA Base Station to provide optimum TETRA coverage across the airport. Radio users at the airport will be supplied with a range of Motorola TETRA terminals including Motorola’s MTP850 handheld radios as well as its MTM800 mobile radio. Motorola’s comprehensive range of TETRA devices and solutions provide advanced communications features to harness both the voice and data capabilities of the Dimetra IP system, including integrated GPS receivers, which can enable the location of users to be monitored to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

“We selected Motorola after a highly competitive pitch for a number of reasons. Above all it was for the quality of the Motorola solution but also Motorola offered the most efficient and cost effective solution. Additionally, Motorola’s experience in critical communications was a determining factor. As a leading airport operator, we are continually investing in our operations to provide an even better experience to our passengers as well as our business partners,” says Michael Zaddach, head of IT services, Flughafen München GmbH.

“A number of companies in the private sector are increasingly looking at technologies such as TETRA to provide support for their critical communications to not only provide failsafe communications but to improve efficiency. To achieve these goals, Motorola offers not only the TETRA infrastructure but also cooperates closely with the customer, optimally addressing the very individual requirements in terms of applications, roll-outs and services,” says John Gherghetta, corporate vice president and general manager, Motorola Networks & Enterprise, EMEA.

The contract builds on Motorola’s public safety heritage and its leading position within the TETRA market. Motorola is committed to innovation on the TETRA platform, including the creation of applications and the development of TETRA II technology.
TETRA is the open standard for PMR as defined by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Motorola has been instrumental, together with other TETRA industry players, in supporting the standard since its inception in the late 1980s. TETRA has evolved to become a mission-critical tool in public safety and has been rolled out across 77 countries worldwide. Motorola continues to work with industry partners, the TETRA Association and ETSI to drive the standard forward.

About Munich airport
Flughafen München GmbH (FMG) is the operator of Munich airport, a major national and international hub in air traffic. With more than 30 million passengers in 2006 – about 2 million more than in 2005 – Munich counts among the most dynamically growing airports at the European level. “MUC” ranks second among the top ten airports with the most passengers in Germany and ranks seventh at the European level. The company employs about 4,000 people and had total sales of about 687 million euros in 2005. More information is available at www.munich-airport.de

Source:  Motorola press release

Motorola presents the new MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition

Elegance, passion and technological innovation: Motorola presents the first mobile phone born from the new partnership signed with Ferrari.

Milano, January 26, 2007 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) presents today the new MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition, a perfect marriage between the style of Ferrari and the technological innovation of Motorola.

Characterized by a modern, elegant design and the ease of use of its technology, the MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition is a unique handset with HSDPA capability and offers a series of exclusive features: the Ferrari emblem on the exterior glass, the roar of the Ferrari F1 eight-cylinder engine accompanies the switching of the handset on or off, images of the Ferrari F430 engine on the mini external display and the image of the Ferrari emblem on a grey Ferrari in the internal display.
In order to further enrich the original features, into the phone there are also thirty photographic images showing Ferrari F430 and Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli USA.

Underlining the elegance and attention to detail that have always been the hallmark of both brands, the MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition comes with a soft, hand-made carry case in Ferrari-red leather.

The MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone delivers the capability to listen to music, browse the Internet and download content at extremely high speed, all within a handset with high-end finishes, in a futuristic mix of metal and tempered glass. External touch controls allow for fast access to the music functions when the phone is closed with great elegance and simplicity.

“We are very proud today to announce our partnership with Ferrari”, said Valerio Camardella, Director MDB Motorola S.p.A. Italy. "The telephone we are presenting is a mix of style, quality and speed, all attributes which have always characterized the Ferrari name and its products. Joining forces with a market leading brand such as Ferrari was a natural move, because both our companies share a passion for research and innovation, always accompanied by elegance and design."

"It is a great satisfaction for us to be able to add this new partnership with Motorola to our portfolio" says Giulio Zambeletti, Director of Brand Development & Partners for Ferrari. "Through the realisation of a mobile phone which offers personalised features in design and contents, Ferrari and Motorola continue to strengthen the relationship which began when Motorola was our sponsor on the occasion of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy USA".

MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition will be available in the five continents starting January 29, 2007, from Ferrari Stores and all major Motorola dealers, at the recommended price of €490.00.

Source:  Motorola press release

Mobile Leaders Around the World Launch LiMo Foundation

World’s first global mobile Linux initiative begins membership process, encourages creation of an ecosystem spanning application and middleware developer communities

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill, TOKYO, YOKOHAMA, Japan, SEOUL, South Korea and NEWBURY, England – 25 January 2007 – To support their goal of creating the world’s first globally competitive, Linux-based software platform for mobile devices, Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone announced today the official launch of the LiMo Foundation.

A not-for-profit organization, the LiMo Foundation is aimed at blending the community-based development benefits of transparency, innovation and scalability with the best development practices from the mobile community to create an innovative new business model. Overseen by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from the founding member companies including Foundation Chairman, Greg Besio of Motorola and Vice Chair, Kiyohito Nagata of NTT DoCoMo, the LiMo Foundation will be seeking new members interested in participating in the development of a set of APIs, architecture, and contributing source code for the common components of the Linux based mobile platform. Foundation members will be available to discuss membership opportunities at the upcoming 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 12-15, 2007.

LiMo Foundation details – along with guiding principles and bylaws – can be found at http://www.limofoundation.org. Foundation members will be involved in building an active ecosystem and will have the opportunity to influence the evolution of the platform, leaving them free to provide compelling and differentiated services to customers.

The LiMo Foundation, through a fair and balanced contribution and participation process, will focus primarily on the joint development of a competitive Linux-based mobile platform, built around a common source code tree that can adapt to ever evolving market requirements around the world. In addition, members will also work on the following:

• Establishment of safeguards to minimize fragmentation;
• Collaboration on a mobile Linux developer ecosystem;
• Co-operation with existing industry organizations
• Securing new members from across the industry: device manufacturers, operators, chip set manufacturers, independent software vendors, integrators and third party developers

About the LiMo Foundation
The LiMo Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit entity that strives to increase the adoption of Linux within the mobile industry. The LiMo Foundation aims to leverage the mobile Linux platform to create an open, transparent, scalable ecosystem spanning application and middleware developer communities and to encourage the creation of compelling, differentiated and enhanced consumer experiences. A full description of the foundation, including the vision, goals, charter and membership information can be found at www.limofoundation.org.

Source:  Motorola press release

ETRI, MOTOROLA Sign MOU with Gil Hospital

Launch u-Hospital USN trial service

Real-time location tracking of medical devices through the use of information technology

 
Seoul, Korea – 24 January 2007 – The implementation of information technology in hospitals is expected to bring many benefits such as easier access to medical appliances necessary in an emergency. In other words, when an emergency patient is brought to the hospital, a ‘real-time asset tracking system’ will help look up medical equipment in an easy manner, enabling prompt and accurate medical service.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI, President Mun-Kee Choi) announced on Jan 24^th that it will sign an MOU for ‘real-time location tracking system based on Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN)’ with Motorola Labs and Gil Hospital at Gachon University Gil Medical Centre located in Incheon, Korea.

This MOU is part of a joint research agreement on developing a ‘sensor network system for Ubiquitous-City (u-City)’, which is being carried out by ETRI’s Telematics and USN Research Division and Motorola Labs, to collaborate each other with a view to apply its research & development results to the hospital.

The medical staff in local hospitals generally has been facing many difficulties and time-consuming problems in verifying the hospital’s equipments. This brought about numerous accidents such as the loss of medical devices.

The complex process is likely to cause vital problems for seriously ill patients in emergency. Thus, ETRI has decided to join hands with Motorola to solve such problems through the development of a real-time location tracking system of movable medical devices within the hospital. They have agreed to install the technology system in the Gil Hospital’s emergency centre and initiate trial service from this April.

ETRI and Motorola will install the newly developed

• application server for location tracking
• MIDSTA (Middleware for Distributed Sensor neTwork Application)
• Gateway
• USN node in Gil Hospital’s emergency centre and launch trial service.

They are expected to take lead in the USN-based real-time location tracking technology, confirm the possibilities of commercialising USN technologies and create new business models for u-Hospital. Also, by conducting trial service, Gil Hospital will be able to improve their processes for prompt treatment and enhance customer satisfaction.

The three-way MOU is part of the u-IT839 strategy to establish advanced foreign research facilities in the country, and is being promoted by the Things-to-Things Research Centre founded by Motorola, the global leader in USN technology.

Jong-suk Chae, Vice President of Telematics and USN Research Division, ETRI says, “By implementing the USN technology, developed by the international joint research project with Motorola, to Gil Hospital for the first time, and launching trial service with the leader of u-Hospitals, we will be able to verify the efficiency of USN technology. Also, application of the real-time location tracking system will be extended to medical staff and patients in the future, thereby ultimately contributing to the improvement of national medical service quality.”

ETRI claims that the MOU is expected to enhance operational efficiency within the hospital and introduce a new high-tech asset management solution. The u-healthcare system will contribute to upgrade of the hospital’s image and effectiveness of the hospital’s asset management.


About Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
Established in 1976, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) is a non-profit government-funded research organization that has been at the forefront of technological excellence for more than 25 years. The research institute has successfully developed information technologies such as TDX-Exchange, High Density Semiconductor Microchips, Mini-Super Computer (TiCOM), and Digital Mobile Telecommunication System (CDMA). For more information, visit http://www.etri.re.kr/www_05/e_etri/.

Source:  Motorola press release