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Webraska and AirFlash Merge to Create Worldwide Location-based Services Leader

Webraska and AirFlash Merge to Create Worldwide Location-based Services Leader

           Merged Company Uniquely Positioned in Telecommunications
                            and Automotive Markets

          Most Complete Offering for Development of LBS Applications

    SARATOGA, Calif., and MAISONS-LAFFITTE, France, Sept. 24 Webraska, the worldwide provider of wireless navigation services and
technologies, and AirFlash, a leading provider of location-based technologies
and services for network operators and wireless service providers, today
announced they are merging to create a global leader in LBS (Location-based
Services) applications and application development solutions. The combined
entity has among its clients over twelve carriers on four continents serving
in excess of 80 million mobile phone customers.
    The merged company, named Webraska, provides software solutions to develop
location-based applications for telecommunications and automotive customers.
Specifically, the company offers:

    * Ready-to-deploy, context driven LBS and telematics applications, such as
      IbDN(R) Lite (the award-winning PDA-based car navigation application),
      "where is the nearest?" information services, and "friend finder"
      community services;
    * Software development environments for wireless devices, in-car equipment
      and server platforms. These include XML APIs, Java SDKs, professional
      services and training;
    * Carrier-grade geospatial technologies, such as international geocoding,
      reverse geocoding, enhanced spatial searching, advanced map rendering,
      map-matching, vector mapping data compression, and route optimization
      that is continent-wide, multi-modal, real-time and street-level;
    * The Global Navigation Dataset, a worldwide initiative to license,
      integrate and update street-level maps, public transportation networks,
      points-of-interest and real-time traffic information, that is already
      covering large parts of Europe, North and South America, and Asia-
      Pacific.

    The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval in California and
France, has been unanimously approved by both Boards of Directors. Webraska
shareholders will own 87% and AirFlash shareholders 13% of the new entity. The
new company will be headquartered in Maisons-Laffitte (Worldwide HQ) and
Saratoga, California (North America HQ).
    Jean-Michel Durocher, who remains Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Webraska, said: "Both companies were already market leaders. It
became clear that we should combine the context-driven LBS applications and
software application development platform from AirFlash with the carrier-grade
geo-spatial technology and the car navigation and telematics applications from
Webraska."  He continued: "We expect our customers to continue to make
investments in infrastructure and applications that allow their users to stay
in touch with co-workers, friends and family."
    Rama Aysola, CEO of AirFlash, who becomes Executive Vice President for
Strategic Development, said: "The market is looking for leadership and defacto
standardization in the area of LBS software platforms. The combination of
AirFlash and Webraska offers a clear leader with significant presence in
largest markets for LBS applications and services."  Rama also noted that: "We
have heard from customers that they need a vendor with a proven track record
of successful LBS solutions.  The combined company will provide these
customers with years of experience in the wireless marketplace."

    About Webraska
    Webraska is the worldwide provider of wireless navigation technologies and
services. The company offers a full range of products designed to develop and
launch internet based wireless navigation and location-based services and
applications. Webraska's technology has been chosen by industry leaders,
including Airtel, Belgacom, Blu, Borg, CMG, Ericsson, KPN, IBM, M1, Nortel,
Openwave, Oracle, Orange, Pacific Access, SFR, Telecom Italia Mobile, Vizzavi,
and VoiceStream.
    For more information visit: http://www.webraska.com

    About AirFlash
    AirFlash(TM) provides location-based technologies and services to network
operators and wireless service providers. AirFlash develops, integrates and
deploys infrastructure software that enables wireless carriers to rapidly
deploy location-based services to their mobile subscribers and customers. The
AirFlash SmartZone(TM) platform and services are currently deployed by
carriers and portals in the U.S., Europe, and Australia including E-Plus,
KnightRidder.com via AT&T PocketNet Service, Mviva, Orange PCS Ltd, Viag
Interkom, and Vodafone. AirFlash has headquarters in Silicon Valley and London
and sales presence in Washington D.C., Toronto, London, Munich, Sydney,
Frankfurt, Netherlands and Paris. For more information about AirFlash, visit
http://www.airflash.com .

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