Press Release
GR8 NEWS: Yahoo! Messenger Goes Mobile with AT&T Wireless
Facebook
LinkedIn
TwitterWith this new service, Yahoo! Messenger lets millions of AT&T Wireless customers keep in touch with their Yahoo! "friends" by sending short text messages between wireless devices and PC's, and extends their online "friends" list to their wireless phone. AT&T Wireless customers can now see which of their friends is online and ready to chat in real time, without the PC.
In addition, Yahoo! Messenger desktop users are also the first in the country to be able to initiate a back-and-forth instant messaging chat with an AT&T Wireless text messaging customer -- whether or not the wireless user has an existing Yahoo! account.
The launch of this Yahoo! Messenger service follows the recent introduction of AOL® Instant Messenger service, making AT&T Wireless the only U.S. carrier to offer instant messaging over text messaging services from both companies.
Instant messaging (IM) online has seen phenomenal growth, with Yahoo! users sending some 13 billion instant messages in July 2002, according to Yahoo!. Internet companies and wireless carriers have recently seen the benefits of taking the IM sensation mobile. According to Forrester Research, at least seven million messages, including e-mail, are sent between mobile phones every day.
"Adding Yahoo! Messenger to our messaging portfolio extends the fun and convenience of IM to millions of people on the move," said John Bunyan, senior vice president of AT&T Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services. "Working with a renowned brand like Yahoo! to untether one of its signature services gives our customers the best of the Internet -- even while away from their PC."
Three Ways to IM with Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger offered through AT&T Wireless is based on the latest version of the popular online service available at http://messenger.yahoo.com. AT&T Wireless gives customers access to Yahoo! Messenger in three ways on mobile phones:
- AT&T Wireless customers who use Yahoo! Messenger on their PCs can now use text messaging to sign in to the instant messaging service using their Yahoo! ID on their mobile device; manage their "friends" list; send, receive and reply to messages and more
- Customers can access Yahoo! Messenger using mMode from the Message Center menu
- Yahoo! Messenger users on PCs can exchange instant messages with AT&T Wireless subscribers, even if the mobile user does not have a Yahoo! ID
"The ability for Yahoo! Messenger users to exchange instant text messages with AT&T Wireless customers - whether or not the wireless user has a Yahoo! ID -- broadens the utility of Yahoo! Messenger and extends our mission of keeping people connected," said Lisa Pollock, Director, Yahoo! Messaging Products, Yahoo! Inc. "In addition, through our patent-pending Yahoo! Messenger IMVironment technology, Yahoo! is providing carriers the opportunity to use its instant messenger platform as a promotional vehicle. For example, the AT&T Wireless logo is visible whenever a Yahoo! Messenger user connects with an AT&T Wireless customer."
Pricing and Availability
Yahoo! Messenger is now available on all of AT&T Wireless' 2-way text messaging capable phones and through AT&T Wireless' mMode service. Customers do not incur any additional cost to use Yahoo! Messenger beyond those of AT&T Wireless' standard text messaging charges or mMode service plan rates.
AT&T Wireless text messaging users can begin using Yahoo! Messenger immediately. To log in, customers simply type "in [yahooID] [password]" in the subject line of a text message and address it to 92466 (Y-A-H-O-O) instead of a telephone number. mMode customers can log into Yahoo! Messenger under mMode's Message Center by entering their Yahoo ID and password. Once a user has successfully logged on, the user can view his or her online friends and will appear as online and mobile to other Yahoo! users.
In addition to the new instant messaging capabilities, a selection of other Yahoo! services has been available on AT&T Wireless mMode service since last April, including news, sports information and Yahoo! Mail.
AT&T Wireless is a leader in text messaging services in the United States. Last November, AT&T Wireless also became the first national carrier to allow its customers to send text messages to virtually any wireless phone -- regardless of the carrier -- simply by knowing the recipient's phone number. As instant messaging online continues to gain popularity, now people can enjoy the same means of staying connected with newfound freedom and convenience while on the go. For more information on text and instant messaging from AT&T Wireless visit http://www.attwireless.com/text.
About mMode
mMode gives people fast and easy access to a variety of communication, information, and entertainment services from the keypad of their wireless phone. mMode is available now in thousands of cities from coast to coast where AT&T Wireless has upgraded to its GSM/GPRS next-generation network. For more information visit http://www.attwireless.com/mmode.
About AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE - News) is the largest independently traded wireless carrier in the United States, following our split from AT&T on July 9, 2001. We operate one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America. With more than 19.5 million subscribers, and full-year 2001 revenues exceeding $13.6 billion, AT&T Wireless is committed to being among the first to deliver the next generation of wireless products and services. Today, we offer customers high-quality mobile wireless communications services, voice or data, to businesses or consumers, in the U.S. and internationally. AT&T Wireless Customer Advantage is our commitment to ensure that customers have the right equipment, the right calling plan, and the right customer services options -- today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit us at http://www.attwireless.com
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by management with information that is currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, management's expectations regarding: our future financial and operating performance and financial condition, including specific projections and guidance for fiscal year 2002; subscriber growth; industry conditions; the strength of our balance sheet; and our liquidity and needs for additional financing.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside AT&T Wireless' control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Without limitation these factors include: the risks associated with the implementation of a third-generation network and business technology, and the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate.
For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see AT&T Wireless' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" and "Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements" in its annual report of Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2002. AT&T Wireless disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Yahoo! reaches more than 237 million individuals worldwide each month, and is the No. 1 Internet brand globally. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 World properties and is available in 13 languages.
For Further Information:
Danielle Perry Jeremy Pemble
201-576-7707 (office) 425-580-5997 (office)
908-391-3524 (wireless) 206-696-6199 (wireless)
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