NetSpira Networks and Eurotel Praha announce successful trial of NetSpira GSN

18 February 2003 - 3GSM Cannes, France

NetSpira Networks, the leader in content-based mobile data services, today announced the successful completion of proof-of-concept trial of its NetSpira GSN platform with Eurotel Praha. NetSpira GSN enables GPRS/UMTS operators to implement advanced, content-based prepaid and post-paid charging schemes and content-based value-added services. In addition to supporting post-paid customers, the solution also addresses the big prepaid subscriber base. Outbound and inbound roaming scenarios are fully supported.

"The NetSpira solution can be very easily implemented into our current GSM and GPRS infrastructure. It enables new innovative services based on NetSpira features that are mainly content based billing, event charging and usage of common APN for different kind of access like WAP and MMS," said Niels Christian Mikkelsen, CTO, Eurotel Praha.

"This successful proof-of-concept trial is a strong demonstration of the benefits of NetSpira's solution in delivering Eurotel's Mobile Data GPRS requirements," commented Salim A. Mawji, Executive Vice President , NetSpira Networks. "From an operator business point of view this also proves the commercial benefits that can be harvested by GPRS Networks utilising the already implemented core network."

NetSpira GSN sits between the core network and charging platforms and plugs seamlessly into existing infrastructure. By monitoring traffic and control data sessions based on operator-defined rules or by following the instructions of external elements it goes beyond simple GPRS/UMTS volume-based charging, allowing operators to charge based on content type. It therefore allows advanced charging schemes such as for a successful number of downloads or making all access to certain websites free. Additionally, it enables the detection and independent charging of events to avoid double charging customers. As a control point, NetSpira GSN provides full control capabilities on the overall data session and also control of each individual content-specific flows, enabling the Eurotel prepaid system with real-time control capabilities.

"We are very pleased to announce the successful trial of NetSpira GSN system by Eurotel Praha," added Jose Lopez, CEO, NetSpira Networks. "Eurotel has a consistent track record of innovation and early adoption of leading edge technologies. The fact that they have made a positive evaluation of our product is a clear indication to us that we can offer first class content-based metering and control functionality."

About Eurotel

Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. is the largest provider of wireless voice and data services in the Czech Republic. In September 2002, the company exceeded 3.68 million customers. Eurotel's GSM (900/1800 MHz) and T!P (450 MHz) networks cover 99 percent of the Czech Republic's more than 10 million residents.

Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. is a limited liability company owned by Ceský Telecom, a.s. (51%) and Atlantic West B.V. (49%). Atlantic West B.V. is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T Wireless Services (NYSE: AWE).

For additional information, please contact:

Jan Kucmáš, Corporate Spokesman
Eurotel Prague
+420 602 608 468

About NetSpira Networks

NetSpira Networks is a young and dynamic company focused on enabling data services in GPRS and UMTS networks. NetSpira Networks has its main headquarters in Madrid, Spain, and is opening a commercial office in London, U.K. Its main investor is Bullnet Capital, a venture capital firm specialising in the telecom technology and media sectors.

NetSpira's management team has previously worked at a number of telecoms industry leaders, including Bell Labs, Lucent, Ericsson, Nortel, Hewlett-Packard and SchlumbergerSema.

Based on its leading product, the NetSpira GSN, NetSpira provides value added services for GPRS and UMTS which include real-time prepaid data, content metering and control and core network services.

For additional information, please contact:

http://www.netspira.com/