Oracle and Wingcast Form Strategic Alliance to Drive Next-Generation Wireless Services for Cars

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. and SAN DIEGO, July 12Oracle Corp. , the largest provider of software for e-business and Wingcast, a joint venture of Ford Motor Company and QUALCOMM Incorporated , today announced a strategic alliance to jointly develop and bring to market next-generation wireless telematics services.

As part of the alliance, Oracle and Wingcast will immediately form an Accelerated Development Center (ADC) in San Diego to develop, test and implement advanced telematics services. Wingcast has selected Oracle as its premier first strategic technology partner and will deliver its telematics service offerings to consumers based on Oracle's industry-leading software, including Oracle9i Application Server Wireless and Oracle9i Database. Oracle and Wingcast will accelerate the development of wireless applications and services that benefit consumers both inside and outside vehicles from a variety of devices and access methods, including voice. Wingcast will launch services in model year 2003 vehicles, including Ford Motor Company and Nissan vehicle lines, available in market to consumers mid-2002.

"We think that the best wireless telematics technology will come from the Wingcast and Oracle coalition," said Larry Ellison, chairman and CEO of Oracle Corp. "That's where we're placing our bet." "Wingcast is pleased to have Oracle as our strategic technology partner," said Harel Kodesh, president and CEO of Wingcast. "Oracle technology will allow Wingcast to accelerate consumer acceptance of telematics and will propel Wingcast to become the defacto industry leader."

Driving Telematics in New Directions Telematics integrates computing and wireless telecommunications technology with motor vehicles to enhance the safety, productivity and enjoyment of consumers in a mobile environment.

International Data Corporation has estimated that the telematics market will grow to $42 billion by 2010 from $1 billion in 1998. To drive this growing market, Oracle and Wingcast plan to accelerate the development of mobile applications and services that go beyond standard automotive applications. These advanced services will offer users greater safety and security, information and entertainment applications that can be accessed anytime, from inside and outside the vehicle, from a variety of wireless access methods and devices, including voice, wireless phones, PDAs and other handheld computers.

Key categories of wireless telematics services that Wingcast and Oracle expect to collaborate on include: communications, infotainment/entertainment, mobile commerce and position commerce, business and personal information and safety/security. Additionally, Oracle and Wingcast plan to work together on integrated true-location services to complement Wingcast's telematics offering.

About Wingcast Wingcast Incorporated ( http://www.wingcast.com ), a joint venture of Ford Motor Company and QUALCOMM Incorporated, is dedicated to the development and delivery of advanced wireless applications and telematics services that deliver on the promise of "connected freedom" for mobile users both in and outside of vehicles. About Oracle Oracle Corporation provides the software that powers the Internet. For more information about Oracle, please call 650-506-7000. Trademarks Oracle is a registered trademark and Oracle9i is a trademark or registered trademark of Oracle Corporation. Wingcast is a registered trademark and connected freedom is a trademark of Wingcast. QUALCOMM Incorporated is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Ford Motor Company is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. Nissan is a registered trademark of Nissan Motor Company. All other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.