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Press Releases
2003.09.29

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ACCESS Launches Integrated Mobile Browser/Voice Solution Based on IBM Software

NetFrontOffering Expands XHTML+Voice Solutions for the Mobile Market

Tokyo, Japan / Fremont, CA, USA – September 29, 2003 – ACCESS (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813), a global provider of integrated data platforms and Internet access technologies for the mobile communications market, today announced it will offer a solution for the mobile market that integrates ACCESS’ NetFront® v3.1 browser with the IBM® embedded ViaVoice® speech-recognition program, creating a full-featured, mobile XHTML+Voice solution. ACCESS’ participation in the agreement will be managed by ACCESS’ U.S. subsidiary, ACCESS Systems America.

This solution will be one of the first to support X+V 1.1, an industry-leading multimodal markup language that unites XHTML and VoiceXML into an application that uses XML Events, a W3C proposed recommendation that acts as an interoperable glue. This combination of established standards for visual and voice applications can allow developers to create user-centric multimodal applications and target applications for Pocket PC 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC devices.

“The evolution of sophisticated mobile technologies has elevated our customers’ expectations of what a handheld device can do, and we need to respond to that,” said Eugene Cox, Director, Product Management, IBM Pervasive Computing. “Adding voice recognition to the mobile Internet can provide customers with an easier hands-free way to browse and interact with the Internet.”

Adding voice recognition to the mobile Internet can create a powerful and versatile end-user experience. For example, with XHTML+Voice you can request Internet search information from a travel site, enter the parameters for your flight, book your flight and hotel, and even rental car simply by speaking–which can be a far easier solution than manually typing your information, especially on handheld computers or mobile phones.

“This technology is truly giving rise to the advent of hands-free mobile Internet interactivity,” said Toru Arakawa, president and chief executive officer of ACCESS Co. Ltd. “We are excited to have partnered with a technology leader like IBM for this initiative, and we are confident that IBM has made the right choice.”

Under the terms of the multiyear contract, ACCESS will OEM IBM’s embedded ViaVoice technology. Similarly, IBM will OEM ACCESS’ NetFront browser technology. The first operating system targeted for the joint solution is Windows Mobile 2003. ACCESS and IBM intend to provide solutions for other platforms in the future.

ACCESS also announced today that it has joined the VoiceXML Forum to help promote and develop future Voice XML technologies in the embedded and mobile market. The VoiceXML Forum is an industry organization founded in 1999 by AT&T, IBM, Lucent and Motorola, and chartered with establishing and promoting the Voice Extensible Markup Language (VoiceXML). Since its inception the VoiceXML Forum has successfully driven market acceptance of VoiceXML through a wide array of speech-enabled applications. Currently the Forum has over 380 member companies.

“As a key provider of mobile Web browsers, we are pleased to have ACCESS join the VoiceXML Forum as we extend our membership to include companies that can enable the market for multimodal content access,” said Igor Jablokov, Chairman of the Board, VoiceXML Forum. “ACCESS’ entry demonstrates the company’s commitment to open standards and seriousness about ensuring that voice enabled browsing technology becomes ubiquitous across all current and future mobile platforms.”

About IBM
IBM is the world’s largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping companies innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key business partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit www.ibm.com.

About ACCESS Co., Ltd. and ACCESS Systems America, Inc.
ACCESS Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813) is a global provider of mobile content delivery and access technologies. ACCESS develops and markets PCSS, an integrated platform that enables wireless network operators to rapidly deploy value-added data services on 2.5G and 3G networks and generate revenue from premium branded third-party content. ACCESS’ embedded NetFront and Compact NetFront browsers power approximately 244 different commercial products worldwide, representing 100 million licenses. The NetFront micro browser is most widely deployed in phones for NTT DoCoMo’s popular i-mode service. ACCESS Co. Ltd. is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with ACCESS Systems America, its U.S. subsidiary, in Fremont, California. More information is available at www.access.co.jp and www.access-us-inc.com.


ACCESS is a registered trademark in Japan. NetFront is a registered trademark of ACCESS Co., Ltd. in Japan. NetFront is a registered trademark of NetFront Communications, Inc. in the United States and is used under license. ViaVoice is a registered trademark of IBM corporation.

Contacts

Asia Contact:
ACCESS Co., Ltd., Japan
Kazunori Takahashi
81 (3) 5259-3685
prinfo@access.co.jpcom
Europe Contact:
ACCESS Systems Europe GmbH
Claudia Hoeck
49 (208) 8290-6432
hoeck@access-sys-eu.com
China Contact:
ACCESS China Inc.
Delia Liu
86 (10) 6566-9636
delia_cn@access.co.jp
US Contacts:
ACCESS Systems America
Manuel Morales
(510) 284-0708
mmorales@access-us-inc.com
Bite Communications Bill Danon
(415) 365-0369
bill.danon@bitepr.com