Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MobileSphere Expands SMS Portfolio with Emergency Broadcast Text Messaging Solution for Educational Institutions, Enterprises and Local Governments.
Self-Managed Web-based Solution Enables Administrators to Instantly Broadcast Text Message Emergency Alerts to Community Members.
BOSTON – April 24, 2007 – MobileSphere, a leading-edge provider of global communications solutions, today announced it is expanding its current text messaging portfolio with the Emergency Broadcast Text Messaging Solution, an online system specifically designed for educational administrators, enterprises and local government officials to instantly disseminate important information to their communities.
“With three quarters of the population carrying mobile phones, it makes sense for educational institutions, enterprises and governments to consider emergency broadcast text messaging solutions,” stated Jill Aldort, senior analyst, Consumer Mobility Applications, Yankee Group. “In the event of an emergency or an urgent situation, organizations need to be able to convey critical information to members of their communities in a time-sensitive manner. With over 248 million wireless subscribers in North America, broadcast text messaging can provide an effective means to reach a majority of people quickly.”
Since last year’s launch of Joopz™, MobileSphere’s consumer-focused web-to-mobile text messaging service, the company has been working diligently with several existing universities and enterprise customers to develop an institutional-grade broadcast text messaging platform. MobileSphere’s hosted solution can be accessed and managed through a secure, password-protected web interface. No software, hardware or on-site equipment is required. In addition to one-way alert notification, the system will enable recipients to respond via two-way messaging, and replies will be instantly delivered back to the web-based interface. The solution will also feature full redundancy for text message delivery and remote back-up in the case of a local system failure.
Since over 90% of students in higher education have mobile phones, colleges and universities across the country are evaluating and implementing campus-wide text messaging in order to disseminate important information to thousands of people quickly. Text messaging was once reserved for quick exchanges between family and friends, but many campuses are now seriously considering utilizing it as a mass notification system to broadcast emergency alerts in the event of bomb threats, terrorist attacks, extreme weather conditions and network failures.
“Text messaging has consistently proved to be the most effective means of reaching people during times of crisis,” commented Gavin Macomber, MobileSphere’s executive vice president of marketing. “Leveraging our background in web-to-mobile text messaging and wireless communications, MobileSphere’s Emergency Broadcast Text Messaging Solution has been specifically designed to rapidly convey urgent information to thousands of students, employees, government officials and the general public.”
Organizations in both the private and public sectors are also looking for ways to supplement their existing emergency communications procedures, and text messaging is fast becoming one of several options.
Messages can be sent to mobile devices of either the entire community or pre-established groups. The Emergency Broadcast Text Messaging Solution is currently compatible with any mobile device and carrier in the U.S. and Canada. The solution provides the following features and benefits:
• Self-Managed and Administered Web-based Interface: Log in to MobileSphere’s secure online account management interface, type a message and instantly broadcast important, time-sensitive alerts to thousands of people within the community.
• Subscriber and Group Management: Upload mobile numbers and create multiple groups utilizing MobileSphere’s Online Account Management interface. Messages can be sent to both groups and individual users.
• Full-Redundancy and Remote-Back-up Capabilities: Features full redundancy for text message delivery and remote back-up in the case of local system failure.
• Two-Way Messaging Capability: Enable recipients to respond via two-way messaging, and replies will be instantly delivered back to the web-based interface.
• Reporting and Billing Information: Review reports on activity, subscribers and messages sent.
• Periodic System Testing: Test the system with periodic broadcast messages on a quarterly or annual basis.
• Flexible Pricing Plans: Choose between an annual licensing model based on number of users or a pay-per-use model.
Availability & Pricing
MobileSphere’s Emergency Broadcast Text Messaging solution will be commercially available in May 2007. For more information regarding the solution, pricing or to request a demo, contact a MobileSphere Sales Manager at sales@mobile-sphere.com or visit www.mobile-sphere.com/broadcastsms.
About MobileSphere
Headquartered in Boston, Mass., MobileSphere has been a leading provider of global wireless communications solutions since 2001. Utilizing its proprietary soft-switch technology, coupled with its global Tier 1 network, MobileSphere provides its customers with innovative, highly-competitive, market-proven solutions. Leveraging the migration from fixed to mobile communications and serving customers worldwide, the company focuses on the communications needs of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), colleges and universities, medium-to-large enterprises and consumers. MobileSphere’s services include CarrierILD™ for MVNOs, CellularLD™ for consumers and small businesses, Utalk™ for universities and educational institutions and Joopz™ for consumers. For additional information, visit www.mobile-sphere.com.
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Contact:
Tracy Wemett
BroadPR
617-868-5031
tracy@broadpr.com