Press Release

Ericsson brings Internet to the street

Ericsson Business Innovation launches an entirely new mobile communications concept, Bluetooth Local Infotainment Point, BLIPtm. With BLIP, the Internet moves onto the street and becomes local. BLIP is a stand-alone local platform, which communicates through Bluetoothtm technology, and enables users to gain access to information through their mobile phone, PDA or other mobile device. As more and more mobile phones and handheld devices are being equipped with Bluetooth, Ericsson believes that BLIP will catch on quickly. "BLIP introduces a whole new dimension into mobile networks," said Peter Lundin, managing director of venture BLIP at Ericsson Business Innovation. "By gearing communications to particular times and situations, we have created a platform for a range of new services. In only a few years time blipping while on the move will be as common as home surfing is today."

Ericsson has initiated a number of partnerships to help it launch BLIP on the market. One idea is to place BLIPs in advertising panels. This would enable advertisers to use the panels as a direct channel for interactive communication with consumers. People who pass by would be able to blip in to local pages to download discount coupons, test new products and watch video presentations, to mention a few examples. "We see large opportunities, for example in public transports. Each line could provide information or gather feedback from the passengers through BLIP. One of BLIPs greatest assets is that it is free of charge for the end user. That is why we think it will soon become widespread, says Peter Lundin. BLIP will be launched globally in 2001. Apart from selling the actual hardware, the company also intends to develop content solutions, both in- house and through third-party developers. In order to rapidly increase the
number of available applications, the software platform will be open to external developers.

Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Anders Niklasson, Press Officer, Ericsson Sverige AB
Telephone: +46 8 579 183 00, +46 70 519 30 33
E-mail: [email protected]

Peter Lundin, General Manager venture BLIP
Ericsson Business Innovation AB
Telephone: +46 31 747 37 92, +46 705 57 37 92
E-mail: [email protected]

About BLIP
BLIP is a Bluetooth platform for local communication. Information is
transferred to and from BLIP through wireless Bluetooth technology, which
can support transfer speeds of up to 720 kbps. BLIP communicates with
mobile telephones and handheld devices through WAP or Web interfaces. It
is equipped with the Linux operating system, Ericssons Bluetooth host and
a WAP stack. The first version of BLIP will have a wide, generalized
functionality. Future versions may vary in terms of capacity and design.
The BLIP brand is owned by Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson, Sweden.

For more information about BLIP, visit http://www.ericsson.com/blip
About Ericsson Business Innovation
Ericsson Business Innovation AB was formed in July 2000, and is currently
establishing innovation hubs in several countries to support innovative
business ideas and the development of them. The mission of Ericsson
Business Innovation is to initiate and develop business ideas with
potential to become part of Ericssons future core business.