Users simply type their current postcode into the phone and Visas Global ATM locator guide (http://www.visa.com/atms/) will provide the location and details of the three nearest ATM machines. Later this year, customers of the BT Cellnet WAP phone will also be able to find the exact location of Visas 531,000 ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), located in 120 countries worldwide.

"Whether staying in a new hotel, on the way to an unfamiliar pub, or arriving at a far away airport - not knowing where to access cash can cause problems. No more asking the nearest shopkeeper for directions, Visa and BT Cellnet can point the way. said Sandra Alzetta, senior vice president Electronic Commerce, Visa EU, This will be particularly useful for travellers not keen on carrying large amounts of cash, but who need easy access to local currency as and when required. When in an unfamiliar location, wireless access to the ATM Locator ensures quick, safe and convenient access to funds."

Visa is one of the thirteen companies providing online applications to BT Cellnets new Internet phone, launched on 21 January 2000 - the UKs first commercial WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) service. The new phone will access information from BT Cellnets Genie portal, which currently has over 500,000 users. WAP enabled content includes news, sport, entertainment and finance with email facilities. Content providers alongside Visa include the BBC, Guardian Unlimited, lastminute.com, Popcorn.co.uk and Excite.

In the future, Visas mobile ATM Locator may incorporate Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, whereby the users location is known automatically and the nearest ATMs are found accordingly.

"Visa is proud to have been chosen as one of BT Cellnets industry-leading content providers for its new WAP Internet phone service," continued Alzetta. "Its another example of Visa using new technologies to bring cardholders the ease and convenience of its global payment system and brand. WAP technology will present a host of exciting communication opportunities for consumers on the move. The desktop is no longer the exclusive realm of the Internet and content must be provided to cater for mobile users. Visas ATM Locator is perfect for this environment."

From today, users will be able to locate ATMs - in the UK at first - by typing in the postcode of the chosen location. Within the next few weeks, users will also be able to locate ATMs using the name of the street they are standing on, and over the coming months have access to the other 119 countries contained in the Visa ATM Locator guide.

BT Cellnet will offer WAP services over Nokia 7110, followed soon by Motorola P series phones. It has stated that it will begin with 36 new applications via its Genie Internet portal. With its 500,000 users, it is in a strong position to become one of the UKs leading Internet service providers.

About Visa
As the Worlds Best Way to Pay, Visa is the leading payment brand and the largest consumer payment system worldwide with more volume than all other major payment cards combined. Visa plays a pivotal role in advancing new payment products and technologies to benefit its 21,000 member financial institutions and their cardholders. Visa has more than 70 smart card programmes in 33 countries and on the Internet, with 23 million Visa chip cards, including over 8 million Visa Cash cards. Visa is pioneering SET Secure Electronic Transaction programmes to enable and advance Internet commerce. There are more than 620 million Visa-branded cards, which generate over US$1.2 trillion in annual volume. Visa is accepted at more than 15 million worldwide locations, including at over 531,000 ATMs in the Visa Global ATM Network. Visas Internet address is http://www.visa.com

About BT Cellnet
BT Cellnet, the Mobile Internet market leader, is the UKs fastest growing mobile phone company. Today it has around 7 million customers using its voice services and 500,000 data users. Wholly owned by BT plc, the company is driving beyond the boundaries of voice communication to lead the Mobile Internet revolution. BT Cellnet launched the UKs first Mobile Internet Service Provider, Genie Internet in 1999, and will be the first to introduce the new generation of very high-speed mobile data services using GPRS, or General Packet Radio Services, in summer 2000.

Wireless Internet access

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an open, global specification that empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access and interact with information and services instantly. It provides easy, secure access to relevant Internet information and other services through mobile phones, pagers, or other wireless devices.

Contact:

Stacy Torbit
Visa International EU
Tel: +44 (0)171 795 5331
Email: [email protected]

Damian Peachey
BT Cellnet
+ 44 (0) 1753 56 56 56
[email protected]