Press Releases

ACCESS Systems America Launches Premium Content Platform for 2.5G and 3G Wireless Internet Services Based on Proven and Profitable Business Model

New Premium Content Subscription Server^™ Supports Revenue-Sharing Billing Model for Internet Content

Orlando, FL – CTIA Wireless 2002 – March 18, 2002 – ACCESS Systems America, a leading global provider of software and services for IP-based consumer electronics devices, today unveiled its new server offering for wireless carriers, the Premium Content Subscription Server (PCSS). PCSS enables carriers to offer next-generation data services such as rich multi-media Internet content while increasing Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). PCSS complements ACCESS’ current client-side software to create an end-to-end IP-based wireless solution.

Premium Content Subscription Server (PCSS) is a key enabling component of ACCESS’ end-to-end offering that provides wireless carriers with a future-proof solution for 3G-like services within today’s 2.5G networks. PCSS provides wireless carriers with increased data traffic and ARPU by establishing a profitable business model for content providers to create truly desirable wireless content.

“Data ARPU is driven by data traffic, data traffic is driven by desirable content, and desirable content is driven by a profitable business mode for content providers,” said Kiyo Oishi, president and COO of ACCESS Systems America.

PCSS offers wireless carriers a quick-to-market, cost-effective and profitable revenue-sharing business model for data services. Wireless carriers generate revenue through premium third party content such as information pages, ring tones, graphics, Java applications and push services. Users can purchase this premium content on a subscription or pre-paid basis. The pre-paid capabilities of PCSS are of particular value in many markets around the world. On average, users will spend 20-25% more per month to purchase and access premium content, significantly boosting the carrier data revenue on a per-user basis.

PCSS uses standard Internet protocols, so it works with any handset without requiring proprietary and closed client software or gateways. ACCESS is dedicated to supporting global Internet standards. By maintaining a strong presence in standards bodies such as GSMA, CDG, W3C and the WAP Forum, ACCESS demonstrates its commitment to open IP-based standards for next-generation services and to delivering future-proof solutions to its customers. An investment today in PCSS on a 2.5G network is leverageable for 3G networks and beyond because PCSS uses standard Internet protocols.

“With all of the uncertainty surrounding the direction of future data-centric wireless networks and services, we are confidently introducing a service model that has been proven to be profitable,” said Oishi. “ACCESS’ role in the success of Asian wireless data services certainly adds credibility to our technologies, especially at this time when we are introducing them to the global market.”

About ACCESS Systems America, Inc.
ACCESS Systems America, Inc., the U.S subsidiary of ACCESS Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813), is a leading global provider of software and services for IP-based consumer electronics devices. The company’s NetFront^® suite of browser software powers over 150 different commercial products worldwide including mobile phones, digital televisions, set-top boxes, PDAs and car navigation systems. ACCESS’ Compact NetFront^® microbrowser is most widely deployed in phones for NTT DoCoMo’s popular i-mode service. ACCESS’ Premium Content Subscription Server^™ [PCSS^™] provides an i-mode-like business model for premium content subscriptions and downloads. PCSS is an optimal solution for wireless carriers and content providers, creating and facilitating revenue generation, high user satisfaction, and profitability. ACCESS Systems America is based in Fremont, CA. More information is available at www.access-us-inc.com/.

For more information about PCSS, exhibitors and attendees can visit ACCESS’booth (#3327) at CTIA Wireless 2002, March 18-20, 2002 in Orlando.

This press release is not an offer of any securities of ACCESS Co., Ltd. for sale in the United States. Such securities have not been registered in the United States under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent such registration or an exemption there from.

NetFront, Compact NetFront, Premium Content Subscription Server (PCSS) and IOT Suite are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACCESS Co., Ltd. in Japan. NetFront is a registered trademark of NetFront Communications, Inc. in the United States and is used under a license. i-mode is a trademark or registered trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries. WAP Certified, WAP, and WAP forum mark are registered trademarks of Wireless Application Protocol Forum Ltd. worldwide. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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