A new development collaboration between the corporate portal specialist LINQ and the Belgian company Mobistar will make it possible for employees at user companies to communicate with the company's Microsoft Exchange Server via mobile telephones and other handheld units (PDAs), using GSM modems and the Pocket Office service based on LinqMobilizer. Reports suggest the solution is the first genuine WAP application for companies and means that e-mail, calendars, to-do lists and other Exchange functions can now be accessed on the move. The system is also GPRS-ready.

A recently published survey carried out among directors of telecoms companies shows that the main programs which large companies use on the move are e-mail (85 per cent) and electronic diaries (79 per cent). This is one reason why LINQ and Mobistar have now jointly produced the Pocket Office service, which is expected to be on the market at the start of March.

The technology behind the service is based on establishing a link between the LinqMobilizer server - which is installed in the user company's Exchange environment - and Mobistar's WAP server. Telindus and Siemens Business Services serve as technical integrators.

The aim is to enable companies to increase their productivity in this way by providing employees with a mobile solution which allows them to access corporate information and communicate with their workplace whenever and wherever they like.

Company information
Mobistar
With 1.8 million customers, Mobistar is one of the biggest telecoms companies in Belgium with a focus on mobile and fixed telephony. Turnover in 1999 was GBP 238 million (BEF 15 billion). At the end of last year the company had 1.8 million customers. Mobistar is also rated as one of the fastest-growing telecoms companies in Europe and is a subsidiary of Orange S.A., with responsibility for all France Telecom's international activities, among other things. The company is listed on the Brussels stock exchange.
Mobistar: http://www.mobistar.be

LINQ
The company was established in 1996 and now has 240 employees in Europe and the USA. The company has a number of partners worldwide, including Microsoft and Ericsson. The company also develops and markets LinqPortal, a corporate portal which enables corporate information and work functions to be accessed via mobile and fixed connections and units. The company plans to be listed on the stock exchange within a year.
Linq: http://www.linq.com


For further information please contact:
Mobistar
Thierry Bouckaert
Head of Public Relations
Tel: +32 (0)2 745 71 18
GSM: +32 (0)495 55 71 18
E-mail:
tbouckae@mail.mobistar.be

LINQ
Henk-Jan van der Weide
Country Manager Netherlands
Tel: +31 555 77 28 77
GSM: +31 653 22 82 76
E-mail: henk-van.der.weide@linq.com