News release

HP Debuts Mobile Services Delivery Platform for Operators to Integrate and Manage New Services

Modular Platform Gives Mobile Operators Flexibility to Integrate New Services -- and Adapt Rapidly to Customer Demand

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced a telecommunications platform that provides mobile operators a more efficient way to launch, integrate and manage new wireless services for their subscribers.

The HP Mobile Service Delivery Platform (MSDP) is a powerful set of telecommunications software and tools, partner solutions, carrier-grade hardware and integration services. Combined, these elements constitute an integrated environment to incorporate all of an operator's different mobile services, such as messaging, location and entertainment.

Typically, operators have created and deployed new mobile services one at a time, each with its own network and management resources. With HP MSDP, mobile operators can integrate their mobile services into a single platform in which network and management resources are shared, thus minimizing duplication, simplifying management and reducing costs.

HP MSDP enables mobile operators to create and launch new services quickly, cost effectively and with reduced risk, ultimately, allowing operators to compete more successfully in a rapidly changing market. HP is currently working with mobile operators around the world to design and deploy such platforms in their network environments.

HP MSDP is built on industry-standard network interfaces (OSA/Parlay) and Web services (SOAP, UDDI, WSDL). HP's emphasis on a flexible, standards-based approach provides shared access to common resources, open interfaces to OSS and BSS (operations and business support systems), seamless interaction between applications and managed third-party access to network resources without compromising network integrity and security.

"To survive, operators must reduce the complexity and cost associated with the way they create and manage new mobile services," said Iain Gillott, principal and founder of iGillottResearch, Inc., a market strategy consulting company focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "A single, standards-based platform helps them reduce costs and get services to market faster. It also attracts third-party service developers, whom operators really need to enrich their applications and services."

Mobile operators need a vibrant ecosystem of service and content providers to ensure a flow of exciting, revenue-producing services on their networks. HP MSDP encourages such third-party providers, who are attracted to the standards-based platform that allows them to create and provision new services into an operator's network.

"HP has a powerful presence in mobility, which spans from end-user access across the enterprise to network infrastructure. We contribute all along the mobility value chain, and HP MSDP is a very strategic link," said Sebastiano Tevarotto, vice president and general manager, HP Network and Service Provider Business Unit. "HP MSDP helps provide mobile operators what they need to build a services-rich, profitable network: a single, shared platform that attracts developers and can integrate and manage many mobile services cost effectively."

HP Enriches MSDP with Technologies from Industry Partners

HP MSDP incorporates HP-developed technologies, as well as those from partners.

As a key part of HP's Mobile E-Services Architecture (MESA), MSDP features technology from the HP Opencall and HP OpenView portfolios, including: HP Opencall Service Controller; HP Opencall Media Platform; HP OpenView Web Services Management Engine; HP OpenView Internet Usage Manager; HP Mobile E-services Server and HP Mobile Portal Solution.

The HP Opencall Partner Program offers a suite of technical and commercial benefits that helps Opencall partners from the solution development cycle through go-to-market planning and implementation.

HP also works with solutions providers to enrich MSDP with features that add significant value for mobile operators. Key among these providers is BEA, which partners with HP to create integrated solutions. The BEA WebLogic Application Server is optimized on the HP platform and contributes a core component in the middleware infrastructure of HP MSDP.

"BEA and HP are committed to providing our joint customers with best-in-class solutions for any operating system and for any service they wish to deliver over HP's Mobile Service Delivery Platform," said Morris Beton, senior vice president of business development, BEA Systems. "As the number one Java application server on the market, BEA WebLogic Server can provide HP's MSDP with the industry's most robust platform for the full spectrum of wireless services."

An important feature of MSDP is interoperability between J2EE and Microsoft® .NET environments. MSDP is founded on the J2EE Web Services middleware standard, and, at the same time, it is designed to communicate with .NET-based services through standard interfaces. Customers need this flexibility and the enabling environment to leverage the innovation of external content and services (from third-parties or enterprises). HP is delivering this important interoperability as a sponsor board member of the Open Mobile Alliance and as Microsoft's first worldwide prime integrator for .NET technologies.

HP also is working with Microsoft to incorporate a .NET-based service called MapPoint. Such innovative services provide the building blocks for efficient development of user-centric mobile services. Additionally, HP is working with partners such as Incomit to incorporate into MSDP its Movade Network Service Platform and its Proxy and Development Studio Server. These support OSA/Parlay and JAIN standards and add value by managing access, security and capacity-loading policies between Internet protocol applications and telecommunications network services.

HP is leveraging existing relationships with innovative mobility solution providers 724 Solutions, ACCESS, Elata, MobileAware, Netegrity, Pixo, Purematrix, Vignette and Volantis.

The HP Bazaar, a unique community of developers producing innovative mobile applications for HP customers, also participates in MSDP and adds significantly to the value the platform brings to mobile operators.

HP Services, with its global telecommunications practice, provides critical consulting and integration services as well as ongoing customer support to help mobile operators design, trial and build out a fully populated MSDP.

About HP

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its acquisition of Compaq Computer Corporation on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.