Omnipoint Uses Wireless Technology for BMW's 'The Ultimate Driving Experience(TM)'
18 August 1998
Omnipoint Connects BMW of North America with Turnkey Wireless Solution for 'The Ultimate Driving Experience(TM)'
CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., Aug. 18 -- These days, many businesses
are looking for wireless solutions that go beyond voice connectivity. Through
the use of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology, Omnipoint
Communications has the ability to offer both businesses and individuals
digital voice and data solutions that are tailored to their needs.
Omnipoint recently helped BMW of North America, Inc. solve its voice and
data communications needs during a premier event:
Background
The Ultimate Driving Experience(TM) is a major event designed to introduce
BMW's new 3 series. BMW prospects and owners are invited to experience the
new 3 series on an Autocross course with professional drivers to learn
advanced driving techniques. This experience gives participants hands-on
driving instruction in a safe, fun and controlled environment.
In addition, participants are encouraged to take advantage of the full
line of BMWs available to test drive to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Foundation. BMW donates one dollar to the foundation for every
test mile driven. The program also is dedicated to educating teenage drivers
on weekends via a four-hour driving instruction course.
The Challenge
The first New York Metro event was held recently in the parking lot of the
Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. Because the event
pavilion (a large, multi-roomed tent) includes computers that allow visitors
to browse the BMW Website, event coordinators needed a way to connect the
computers with an Internet service provider.
In addition, because participants can purchase such BMW-branded
accessories as shirts, hats, and key rings, BMW needed wireless access to a
credit card verification service.
The pavilion's location, however, was in the middle of the Sports
Complex's massive parking lot and far away from required telephone and data
lines. BMW's event staff also had no way to directly verify credit cards for
purchases.
The Solution
Needing a secure and reliable wireless method to communicate with the
outside world, BMW approached Omnipoint to provide a turnkey solution to their
dilemma.
Omnipoint supplied BMW with handsets, data cards, service and technical
support for digital wireless connectivity to the Internet. In addition, BMW
event staff used Omnipoint handsets as "desk phones" in the pavilion's
offices.
For the point of sale operations, Omnipoint tasked its Internet website
design firm -- Proteus, Inc., of Washington, D.C. -- to develop a credit card
validation and order processing solution, as well as an order entry system to
record data from customers' transactions. The entire solution was Internet
driven and used RSA encryption for security.
In addition, the transactions were connected via Omnipoint's own GSM-based
wireless service with unparalleled encrypted security not available with
traditional cellular.
"Omnipoint came up with an innovative and reliable solution for our
Meadowlands predicament," said Holly Babich, Consumer Events Manager for BMW
of North America, Inc. "Thanks in part to Omnipoint's responsiveness with a
capable GSM wireless data and voice network, the event was a huge success."
George Schmitt, President of Omnipoint Communications, added, "The data
solution that we provided BMW is just one example of the power of GSM
technology. Currently, GSM is the only wireless technology with integrated
digital voice and data capabilities."
About Omnipoint
Omnipoint Communications is a subsidiary of Omnipoint Corporation.
Founded in 1987, the parent company is a leader in commercializing PCS.
Omnipoint currently provides advanced wireless communications services in much
of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and southern Florida; it intends to
provide those services in additional areas. The company also develops
technology and equipment for PCS and wireless local loop. The company's stock
is traded on the NASDAQ National Market. Its trading symbol is OMPT.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed
and the statements made in this release concerning Omnipoint's future
prospects are "forward-looking statements" under the Federal securities laws
that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that future
results will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from the
forecast and estimates. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially include, but are not limited to, Omnipoint's limited
operating history, including a history of losses and the uncertainty of future
operating results, dependence upon cash flow from its subsidiaries, high
leverage, debt service requirements and restrictive covenants related to its
outstanding Senior Notes, the emerging market for PCS service, the continued
buildout of Omnipoint PCS markets, significant capital requirements, and its
dependence upon key employees. Omnipoint's future results may be impacted by
other risk factors listed in its Registration Statement filed on Form S-3 on
June 30, 1998, and other factors listed from time to time in its SEC reports,
including, but not limited to, the report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997.