WebNum shortcuts provide speedy Internet access
to 2 million subscribers via world's largest wireless Internet directory
Mountain View, CA, July 2, 2001 - VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ NM:
VRSN), the leading provider of Internet trust services, today announced
an agreement by which its WebNum™ services will be integrated into Cellmania's
mFinder mobile directory and search engine, the world's largest wireless
Internet directory with over 2 million wireless users worldwide. The
integration enables wireless users to browse Internet sites and access
the Internet rapidly by entering a WebNum shortcut associated with the
Internet site's domain name.
VeriSign's WebNum services enable businesses to
purchase subscriptions for one- to seven-digit numbers linked to their
domain names. These shortcuts allow end users to reach wireless Internet
sites without the hassle associated with entering alphanumeric domain
names on a handset's keypad - an exercise that can often entail 50 or
more keystrokes. These services improve speed and efficiency and may
spur consumer adoption of the wireless Internet.
"VeriSign created WebNum services to improve
the wireless Internet experience from a user's point of view,"
said Tim Griswold, Managing Director VeriSign Wireless Solutions. "With
this integration we are ensuring that users have quick and comprehensive
access to the world's largest directory of wireless Internet information."
Cellmania's mFinder directory currently contains
more than 15,000 professionally certified and reviewed wireless Internet
sites. Licensed to leading wireless carriers, the Cellmania mFinder
network provides content from more than 100 countries in more than 20
different languages. End users are able to search for wireless Internet
sites on any wireless device, read reviews and ratings of the applications,
and add sites to their bookmarks.
"We are excited to work with VeriSign to promote
a user interface solution that makes sense for the wireless community,"
added Dr. Ronjon Nag, CEO and co-founder of Cellmania. "Integrating
WebNum with mFinder will allow content providers to create a consistent,
accessible, more user-friendly application to drive consumer acceptance
of the wireless Internet."
In conjunction with wireless service providers and
partners like Cellmania that cater to wireless users, VeriSign's WebNum
services will drive consumer usage of the wireless Internet. WebNum
Services combine VeriSign's trust services and Internet identity expertise,
offering unique flexibility and Internet identification solutions for
both Internet users and enterprises. Interested content providers may
visit www.webnum.com to check the availability of potential WebNum Logo
Number™ shortcuts.
WebNum services were formally launched in February
2001 when VeriSign began accepting applications for Logo Number shortcuts.
WebNum services provide revenue opportunities for telecommunications
carriers and do not require any changes to existing telecommunications
infrastructures. As the demand for WebNum Services grows, carriers can
increase their Average Revenue Per User, realize the potential for increased
up-take and usage of wireless data devices, and decrease churn rates.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ NM: VRSN) is the leading provider of trusted
infrastructure services to Web sites, enterprises, electronic commerce
service providers and individuals. The company's domain name, digital
certificate and payment services provide the critical Web identity,
authentication and transaction infrastructure that online businesses
require to conduct secure e-commerce and communications. VeriSign's
services are available through its Web sites (www.verisign.com)
or through its direct sales force and reseller partners around the world.
Statements in this announcement other than
historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results
to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others,
VeriSign's limited operating history under its current business structure,
uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations
in quarterly operating results, increased competition, risks associated
with the company's international business and risks related to potential
security breaches. More information about potential factors that could
affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially in the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2001. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this press release.
VeriSign is a registered trademark of VeriSign,
Inc. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
About Cellmania
Based in Mountain View, Calif., Cellmania is the only full service provider
of technologies needed to build, promote and equip mobile applications.
Using Cellmania's technology, businesses can conduct mobile business,
improve productivity for workers in the field and navigate the mobile
Internet.
Cellmania's Cellmania's customers include the mobile
industry's top leaders, such as Motorola, AT&T, eGain,Office Depot,
Orange, Excite@Home, Circuit City and Airtel. For more information,
visit: http://corp.cellmania.com.
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