Optimus Selects NeuStar to Bring Converged Instant Messaging Services to Portugal

LONDON, July 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----NeuStar (NYSE: NSR) today announced that Portuguese mobile operator Optimus has selected NeuStar's Next Generation Messaging (NGM) services to power Optimus' multi-community converged instant messaging (IM) service and new IP-based services.

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Optimus will be the first mobile operator in the world to deliver both an "own-branded" IM service that can be accessed from the PC and the mobile through NeuStar's industry-leading Instant Messaging Service Centre (IMSC) and to offer the popular Windows Live Messenger service through NeuStar's Mobile Messaging Gateway (MMG). Optimus also has invested in both NeuStar's Interconnect Platform (ICP) in order to interconnect to other mobile IM services across Portugal, and NeuStar's Presence Platform (PSP) to provide powerful presence capabilities across the Optimus network.

NeuStar's converged IM and Presence solutions enable Optimus to launch and roll out engaging and feature-rich services to its customer base of more than 2.6 million users. Optimus' IM and Presence services give subscribers new choices in communications, enabling people to instantly share experiences and express themselves at any time.

Jose Pinto Correia, CTO at Optimus, said: "We have a huge belief in IM, which is why we are launching an ISP and an Optimus-branded service simultaneously. NeuStar was the obvious partner for us because of its vast experience in the market and its ability to deploy IM and new IP services -- both operator-branded and ISP solutions together -- quickly and successfully."

"We have seen mobile IM become the third 'core service' after voice and text," said Allen Scott, general manager of NeuStar NGM. "Having delivered IM solutions to operators across the world that have a collective customer base of more than half a billion users, NeuStar is confident that we can provide Optimus with an advanced service that will generate significant revenue for them and enable Optimus subscribers to 'communicate in context.'"

The service provided to Optimus will incorporate the following additional functionality within NeuStar's solution:

NeuStar's Mobile Messaging Gateway (MMG): Mobilising ISP IM

NeuStar's MMG now supports Microsoft Service Protocol 3.0, enabling more functionality for the user. Users can experience avatars, send and receive nudges, and enhance their profiles with status text within Microsoft Windows Live Messenger.

Furthermore, Microsoft has agreed to use MMG for native client enablement. This will allow users of devices with a Microsoft client embedded in them to more easily access operator mobile IM services, and will allow operators to enable easier access and billing to the Windows Live Messenger services.

NeuStar's Presence Platform (PSP): Delivering Presence Services to Operators

The PSP, NeuStar's market-leading presence solution, provides horizontal Presence and Group Management capabilities and is fully compliant with OMA XDM 2.0 standards -- thus enabling network address book deployment. This enables users to see much richer profile information from within the phone's address book. Furthermore, the PSP enables operators to more easily establish, manage, and control access to specific content (e.g., using age profile information).

NeuStar's Instant Messaging Service Centre (IMSC): Delivering Operator Mobile IM

NeuStar's IMSC solution now has an enhanced SMS continuity service that enables full two-way continuity between SMS and mobile IM. A user of SMS can now send a message to an IM user -- and if the IM user is online, he or she will receive the message as an IM that identifies the sender. This development instantly enables every mobile user to enjoy the benefits of mobile IM; it also supports the GSM Association's Personal IM initiative.

IMSC is also GSMA 2.0-compliant. In addition, the deployed release of IMSC is capable of IMS (SIP) and legacy (IMPS) network interoperability, providing a "future-proof" solution for operators delivering an IP network in the future.

About NeuStar, Inc. and NeuStar Next Generation Messaging

NeuStar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR) is a provider of clearinghouse and directory services to the global communications and Internet industry. In November 2006, NeuStar created its Next Generation Messaging Services by acquiring Followap Inc., a leading global provider of instant messaging, presence and interconnect services. Mobile network operators around the world trust NeuStar to enable real-time communications using presence information.

NeuStar, Inc. is headquartered in the United States, with subsidiary offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.neustar.biz and http://www.neustar.biz/ngm.

SOURCE NeuStar, Inc.

http://www.neustar.biz 

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