Dynamical Systems Research Limited announces the launch of Airmail(tm) - a service that allows users of digital mobile telephones to send and receive e-mail directly from their handset via the Internet without the use of a computer or modem (be it desktop or mobile).

Airmail(tm) is made possible by DSR's own proprietary technology, SMSgate(tm), a powerful gateway that links a digital mobile phone network with SMS ("Short Message Service") capability (such as Vodafone Digital, Orange or Cellnet), to Internet, fax and other data services. SMSgate(tm) was demonstrated earlier this year at GSM96 World Congress in Cannes.

Traditional methods of keeping in touch electronically while on the move have meant, at the very least, a portable computer, modem, battery charger, wires and software, all of which are not only expensive, but also bulky. Airmail(tm) delivers e-mail as a text message directly to the screen of a mobile phone - the keypad and message function on the phone can even be used to send e-mail.

Airmail(tm) can save time and money by delivering e-mail immediately, routing e-mail to a mobile phone directly so messages arrive when they are wanted without the "hassle factor". There is no "logging on". No time (or money) is wasted while one waits to get connected to an Internet provider by powering up a laptop, dials in, waits, and then finds that there are no important messages (or none at all!) waiting.

Because all that is needed is a digital phone handset, e-mail can now be read and sent far more discreetly than by other methods. A mobile phone user can now have e-mail wherever his or her phone may be - meetings, restaurants, shopping, etc. Plus, Airmail(tm) is fully compatible with the world wide GSM and PCN networks - so e-mail will automatically 'roam' with the phone, be it Germany, Hong Kong or even New Zealand (subject to network roaming agreements and network capability in certain countries).

Airmail(tm) uses SMS (short message service) to deliver e-mail as a text message on the screen of the mobile phone. No extra hardware needs to be bought, nor any software installed - an SMS compatible handset connected to the Vodafone, Orange or Cellnet digital network (or indeed any overseas compatible GSM network) is all that is needed. When e-mail arrives, most phones will issue an alert and display an envelope icon. The e-mail is read by using the "Read Message" function on the phone. Sending e-mail is done by using the "Write Message" function, starting the message with the recipient's e-mail address, followed by an optional subject header and the message (in other words a typical Internet mail format). The message is sent to DSR's gateway which forwards it on via the Internet as a standard e-mail.

Airmail(tm) is flexible and extends current SMS technology. Airmail(tm) concatenates longer e-mails into several SMS messages that appear sequentially on the screen of the user's phone, whereas SMS limits messages to 160 characters in length. And because the Airmail(tm) gateway is connected to the Internet, messages are not restricted to a specific network as is the case with SMS. Also, Airmail(tm) allows more than just the simple sending and receiving of e-mail. Short commands typed onto the phone allow the Airmail(tm) service to be turned on or off, forward or divert Airmail(tm) messages to other Internet addresses and set the maximum length of e-mail they would like to receive.

DSR's Marketing Director, Mungo Amyatt-Leir, comments, "As we've seen through the growth of use of mobile phones, an ever increasing number of people want to keep in touch when away from the home or office. Likewise, more and more people are using the Internet to keep in touch by e-mail. Airmail(tm), for the first time, brings the two technologies together as an affordable service suitable for corporate or individual use".

DSR operate Airmail(tm) on a subscription basis. For Airmail(tm) access via the Vodafone digital network there is a one-time connection fee of £25 plus a monthly subscription of £10 (both plus VAT). These fees are charged by DSR to provide access to their Internet gateway technology. Message fees are charged on the user's usual mobile telephone bill at the standard SMS tariff determined by Vodafone, currently 10p per SMS message plus VAT.
June 17th, 1996

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Dynamical Systems Research Ltd. is a pioneering software development company specialising in telecommunications systems for mobile computing. Formed in 1993, DSR has mostly been involved in R&D activities and is currently launching its first products based on these developments. These products are based on a range of client/server technologies for mobile messaging using digital mobile phones on GSM and PCN standards that can operate on a variety of UK and overseas networks. At the heart of this technology is SMSgate(tm) a versatile server that allows connectivity between Internet, data and fax to SMS. DSR is a pioneer and leader in the area of mobile messaging systems.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION:

Please contact:
Airmail Support,
e-mail: airinfo@airmail.co.uk

Or look at our Web site: http://www.airmail.co.uk/