[June 25, 2002]

Toshiba's Mobility Communications System Will Enable Seamless Voice And Data Across Multiple Devices

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS) announced plans to introduce a mobility communications platform that will bring the convergence of data and voice connectivity to notebook PCs, PDAs and telephony devices.

Currently in development, Toshiba's Mobility Communications System (MCS) will give mobile users access to the same data and voice communications they currently enjoy in a fixed office setting, while they wirelessly roam throughout the corporate environment.

Slated for launch in the second quarter of 2003, MCS is built on Toshiba's Internet Technology Supporting Universal Mobile Operation (ITSUMO). Using ITSUMO, MCS will support seamless roaming throughout the business campus, as well as LAN-to-cellular roaming, while accessing important data such as e-mail or, for example, ERP system information, as well as voice-over-IP communications.

The ITSUMO platform also provides MCS with true voice-over-WLAN capabilities by extending PBX functions while providing business class voice Quality of Service.

For example, a business user sitting in the office will be able to take a call through the wireless network, then move to the next meeting across campus, continuing the call en route. While in the meeting, he can use his PDA to access e-mail and voice mail to keep up-to-the-minute, all with MCS.

"Today, we use our wireless phones, notebook PCs and PDAs discretely -- tomorrow, MCS will deliver the true convergence of these devices to better meet the mobile communications needs of the business world," said Chris Harrington, vice president of strategy and business development at TAIS.

"With Toshiba's capabilities in computing and telecommunications, as well as our ITSUMO technology development, we are uniquely positioned to deliver leading-edge mobility solutions with a next-generation wireless communications network platform."

Using the MCS platform, business users will benefit from increased productivity by staying connected anytime and anywhere within the corporate network. In addition, MCS will be a cost-effective productivity investment because it uses existing IT infrastructure and common network management tools.

By simply adding MCS functions to the network, along with MCS-enabled client devices, enterprises can extend the reach of the existing PBX and LAN.

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