Cellport and Airbiquity Partner

    BOULDER, Colo. & DETROIT--May 14, 2001--Cellport Systems, Inc. and Airbiquity Inc. today demonstrated an innovative telematics system that enables drivers to use any wireless portable phone to gain access to location-enhanced services using the Cellport 3000 Universal Hands-Free System(R) combined with Airbiquity's aqLink(TM) and GPS technology.
    This solution will enable turn-by-turn directions, roadside assistance, emergency services, and location-enhanced concierge services while enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
    "Airbiquity's aqLink and GPS system addresses the growing demand for rapid-access location-based services. Delivering it through the Cellport 3000 system provides a safer wireless calling experience for the user," said Dan Allen, president and CEO of Airbiquity. "Moreover, this system solves the problem of transporting GPS data over any digital or analog wireless network (CDMA, TDMA, GSM, iDEN, and AMPS)."
    This joint effort adds fuel to the already dramatic growth projections for the telematics market. A recent report from Dain Rauscher Wessels predicts that the market for telematics hardware and software such as those demonstrated by Airbiquity and Cellport will grow 57% annually to $23.7 billion in 2007.
    "The Cellport 3000 meets the needs of more consumers because it allows them to use, change, and upgrade to different cell phones, easily and inexpensively, in the same vehicle," added Pat Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Cellport Systems. "It is compatible with the most popular phone models and all wireless links and therefore provides an excellent platform for telematics applications like Airbiquity's aqLink."
    Consumers increasingly rely on mobile phones to communicate with work and family and to access emergency and roadside services. More than half of all calls to 911 operators are placed over wireless phones, which have no way of being located in an emergency call. This solution could address the need for both E-911 services, as well as revenue-generating location services.
    Along with FCC Phase II mandates, there is growing concern about driver distraction with more than 40 states and 3,300 municipalities considering legislation requiring hands-free systems while drivers are using wireless phones. Currently, eleven local jurisdictions have passed hands-free legislation.
    The Cellport 3000 Universal Hands-Free System enables drivers to make and receive wireless phone calls with fewer distractions. The system consists of Pockets for popular wireless phones that snap into a Cellport Universal Docking Station. With Cellport's Pocket system, users can switch phones as frequently as they like without having to install a new hands-free system. Additionally, the system provides noise reduction and echo cancellation, intelligent battery charging, and external antenna connection for fewer dropped calls.
    Airbiquity's patented aqLink voice and data technology transmits high-value data, such as GPS data, location-based services, vehicle diagnostics, asset status, statistics, financial information, or other discreet mobile information, instantly and reliably across existing wireless voice channels. Both aqLink and Cellport 3000 work over all major wireless networks including CDMA, TDMA, GSM, iDEN and AMPS.
    Airbiquity's aqLink and GPS system will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. The Cellport 3000 is available nationally in a growing range of retail and wireless carrier outlets as well as select 2002 model year vehicles.