Siemens Mobile Acceleration adds another Asian start-up to its roster ? PurpleACE specializes in management solutions for mobile content


Munich, 30.10.2003 /Wi-Fi Technology News/-Siemens Mobile Acceleration (smac), a leading international early-stage investor in the wireless sector, today announces its investment in the Singapore-based software company PurpleACE. The proceeds of this first round of institutional financing will be used to commercialize PurpleACE?s flagship product ?MobileBAG.? The product is a platform that enables subscribers to deal with content in an entirely new way by extending the limited storage capacity of the devices. Subscribers can backup data from their mobile phones onto a network-based repository and also share their content with other users.

PurpleACE?s platform puts an end to the problem of limited storage capacity of subscriber?s devices. The solution backups all data from the phone onto a network based repository. This includes premium content and applications (ring-tones, logos, and games) as well as user-created content (phonebook, messages, photographs, and video clips). The product is aimed at operators and service providers who can offer a range of new services, cutting subscribers? cost of content ownership. For instance, subscribers can re-download content, synchronize content among multiple devices, and recover data when they upgrade or lose their phones.

Furthermore, MobileBAG enables super-distribution of content in a copyright protected environment. With a couple of clicks, the user simply chooses a piece of content, for example a game, adds a personal message, and sends it to friends and family. This technological feature has the potential to radically change the manner subscribers deal with content. While today, subscribers have to proactively search for content, they can now receive and discover new content through others. Subscribers who seek out for content from their operator and its associated service providers now help to market that same content to other users.

?PurpleACE underscores that Asian start-ups play a vital role in the innovation of the mobile data space?, said Dr. Dietrich Ulmer, CEO of smac. ?We believe that content backup will become a ?must have? feature as more and more rich content comes into the market, and super-distribution models have a tremendous potential to boost content downloads. Operators and service providers will surely find this solution an essential value-add to their service offerings.?

?Securing strategic funding at this stage of our company?s development is a major vote of confidence in our value-proposition and vision. We take great pride in being the first Asian company smac invests in outside of Greater China,? said PurpleACE co-founder Brojo Pillai. ?Siemens, with its global reach, technology expertise, and strong relationships with operators worldwide, is an ideal partner to assist us in bringing our products into the market,? added co-founder Kartik Prabhakara.

PurpleACE Pte Ltd provides solutions enabling new models of content distribution and management. PurpleACE products are designed to increase data service revenues for operators, differentiate handsets and ensure repeat sales for device manufacturers, and exponentially boost revenues of content providers. Founded in February 2002, PurpleACE is a privately held company based in Singapore. For more information on PurpleACE please visit:
http://www.purpleace.com

Siemens Mobile Acceleration GmbH (smac) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group of Siemens AG. Siemens Mobile Acceleration fosters early stage start-ups that focus on wireless applications and technologies for mobile communication by providing funding and strategic counsel. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Siemens Mobile Acceleration seeks investment opportunities in Europe, Asia and North America. For more information on smac please visit
http://www.siemensmobileacceleration.com

The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile) offers a complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes GSM, GPRS and 3G mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Mobile Applications cover end-to-end solutions for Messaging, Location Based Services or Mobile Payment. For fiscal 2002 (September 30), Siemens mobile recorded sales of EUR 11 billion and employed approximately 28,600 people worldwide. You can access press releases, photographs and further information on the Internet at:
http://www.siemens-mobile.com/press