Belfast-based mobile software firm Openwave has signed a deal with NTL that will see the company upgrade its existing email platform and deploy advanced email services to its residential, wholesale and business customers in the UK.
Openwave, formerly known as Apion, was formed by the merger between Phone.com and Software.com in 2000. The company employs 100 people in Belfast.
The agreement will see Openwave’s Email Mx 6 technology rolled out to NTL customers, which both companies say will give users an improved messaging service. Mx 6 is a complete anti-abuse solution with a web mail interface. NTL will use the technology to efficiently develop new services and integrate third-party applications such as antivirus and anti-spam technology. The email system is also said to lower the total cost of ownership for carriers.
“Broadband usage grew 17pc in the first quarter of 2003 in Europe. NTL is one of the leading innovators in messaging and has the opportunity to expand its leadership with the increase of consumer demand for messaging services,” said Alan Black, managing director of EMEA at Openwave.
The chief information officer at NTL, Phil Pavitt commented: “Fundamental to our selection of a software supplier was its ability to significantly improve our customers’ email service and reduce our cost of ownership. Openwave fully meets these requirements and provides us with the ability to add-on solutions such as anti-spam and antivirus protection.”
By John Kennedy
