Motient Targets SMBs

Motient is teaming up with Airespring to sell wireless e-mail services through Airespring's Office To Go hosted solution.

by Roy Mark of dc.internet.com [November 12, 2001]

The owner and operator of the nation's largest two-way wireless data network, Motient Corp. (NASDAQ:MTNT) of Reston, Va., hopes to tap into everyone's new favorite demographic small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in a deal with corporate data solutions provider Airespring Wireless. Motient estimates the partnership could potentially yield more than 40,000 additional subscribers to the Motient network.

The four-year deal centers on the Los Angeles-based Airespring integrating Motient's eLink and Blackberry by Motient wireless e-mail services into Airespring's off-the-rack packaged wireless data solution, Office To Go, which provides mobile workers with wireless access to business critical applications, and always-on e-mail connectivity.

Unlike other systems, which usually require hardware and software to be installed at the customer's site, Office To Go is designed to operate on a completely hosted basis, and is managed and monitored at Airespring's wireless network connectivity center. The suite includes wireless e-mail, mobile Web browsing and attachment viewing.

"Airespring's inclusion of Motient's wireless e-mail services in their Office To Go solution will bring a substantial number of new subscribers to the Motient network," said Mike Fabbri, vice president of sales for Motient. "As part of a package of services, Motient's wireless e-mail offerings will be extended to a much broader audience of users within the small and medium business segments."

Motient provides a variety of two-way wireless data services over its own network but relies on partners and resellers to help extend its services into new markets and audiences. eLink and BlackBerry by Motient are Motient's most popular wireless e-mail services, with more than 100,000 users combined.

"By utilizing the Motient network and integrating Motient's wireless e-mail services to deliver our Office To Go solution, Airespring will be able to provide businesses of any size with a complete wireless solution with minimal upfront costs, opening the door to a much wider number of potential wireless data users" said Avi Lonstein, chief executive officer and president of Airespring.

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