2005-03-08

Birdstep announces the world's first seamless mobility solution based on Mobile IP running on Symbian devices

Birdstep demonstrates seamless mobility for Symbian OS at CeBIT

Oslo/Hanover - March 9, 2005 - Birdstep Technology (OSE: BIRD) announced today it will demonstrate the Birdstep Mobile IP client technology running on Symbian OS based devices at the CeBIT show that starts this week. The solution runs on a multi-radio SmartPhones based on Symbian OS and is the first of its kind to provide seamless roaming between GPRS and Wireless LAN networks.

The Birdstep Intelligent Mobile IP Client for Symbian OS based devices enables operators to offer uninterrupted connectivity to users that require continuous access to services and applications while switching between different networks. Such offering extends the coverage of existing services across multiple networks. Examples of such services can be video conferencing, video streaming as well as enterprise applications that require uninterrupted connection to backend servers.

In addition to presenting the client on Nokia 9500 devices, Birdstep will present the prototype of a combined client that joins both the Alice Client Manager and the Birdstep Mobile IP Client functionality. This prototype shows the combination of two very well proven state-of-the-art technologies running together to offer a complete ease-of-connectivity and seamless-mobility experience.

“This combined client fits the requirements we see from operators today. We have on-going discussions with various operators who have stated that Client Manager solutions including Mobile IP are on their radar screen,“ said Jørgen Bredesen, CEO of Birdstep.

The Birdstep Mobile IP Client
Birdstep Intelligent Mobile IP Client supports secure and continuous connectivity between WLAN Zones (also known as guest zones or hotspots) and GSM/GPRS/UMTS/CDMA networks. This market leading client allows users to seamlessly connect and re-connect across different types of infrastructures without application downtime, security degradation or user intervention. The client also mobilizes security components based both IPSec (Checkpoint, Cisco, Nortel Contivity, Microsoft, NetScreen) and SSL VPN solutions as well as thin clients solutions such as Citrix without interruption. The solution also interoperates with authentication methods commercially available in the market. Recognizing the need for security in certain networks, the client triggers the security mechanisms and moves the traffic inside the existing security framework. When the user moves back to a secure environment, the client makes sure that the traffic continues to flow seamlessly, but this time without the security elements active. Such feature, which is patented by Birdstep, gives complete hassle-free mobility without requiring the user to do something except continue doing work as usual.

The Alice Client Manager
The Alice Client Manager (ACM) enables the end user to quickly and easily configure their PC or PDA to access data services over a wireless network, using a handset or PC-card. It provides configuration solutions for all wireless technologies being deployed by operators: 3G/HSDPA, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, IDEN, 3G and WiFi. The ACM also acts as a platform and tool for operator to provision new services and applications directly to the end user's laptop. The solutions are always branded according to the specific customers needs. It provides ease of use for the end user, minimization of complexity for the service provider, a channel for the deployment of new products and services, and branding on the desktop. ACM provides an operator with immediate cost savings due to reduced support cost and increased revenue due to higher usage of data services.

About Birdstep Technology
Birdstep Technology ASA is a public company listed in the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE) under ticker 'BIRD' with head quarters in Oslo, Norway in addition to offices in the USA in Seattle, San Francisco and Boston, as well as offices in Frankfurt, Cambridge (UK) and Shanghai. Birdstep Technology ASA's two wholly owned subsidiaries, Birdstep Technology, Inc. and Birdstep Technology Ltd., are organized under the laws of Delaware, USA, and the United Kingdom, respectively. In December 2004 Birdstep acquired 100% of the shares in Alice Systems. The purpose of the acquisition was to complement both companies' offerings to be able to deliver best-in-class client-based solutions that enable operators to improve their customer experience as they move between available networks, e.g. fixed, cellular and wireless connections. The company today employs around 100 people dedicated to development of advanced seamless mobility solutions and small footprint, high performance database technologies. Birdstep has the intellectual property rights to software developed, and inventions made, by its employees. Birdstep's global customers and partners include Cisco (CSCO), 3Com (COMS), Alcatel (EPA), Ericsson (ERICY), Nortel Networks (NT), HP (HPQ), Fujitsu Siemens Computers, PCTel (PCTI), and 32 network operators worldwide including T-Mobile Group, Vodafone Group and Telenor (TELN). For more information, visit www.birdstep.com.

Contact Information:
Jørgen Bredesen
CEO
Birdstep Technology ASA
+47 24134700
jobr@birdstep.com