VeriSign, Inc., the leading provider of critical infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, announced today at CTIA in Atlanta a broad-based strategy to help carriers of all sizes more quickly deliver the integrated, next-generation services that wireless, cable and wireline subscribers are demanding. Through its Intelligent Communications, Commerce and Content Services (IC3) strategy, VeriSign will utilize its heritage in security, Internet infrastructure and telecommunications to aid carriers via a unique managed communications services model.

"Carriers of all sizes are under pressure to transform their business in order to make next-generation communications a reality," said VeriSign Chairman and CEO Stratton Sclavos. "With our IC3 services we can give carriers the technology, infrastructure and interoperability they need while dramatically accelerating their go-to-market timelines. We want our customers to see Verisign as the place ‘Where It All Comes Together' for next-generation communications."

Backed by a broad array of products and services, VeriSign's IC3 strategy will provide reliable, flexible managed services that carriers need to compete in an environment in which service providers have been forced to trim costs and IT personnel, while at the same time subscribers are demanding next-generation services.

"VeriSign's IC3 strategy allows carriers to make the business transformation without forcing them to spend enormous amounts of capital or take their eye off of current services and business priorities," said Vernon Irvin, executive vice president, VeriSign Communications Services. "Instead, we can handle that complexity – the organizational issues, the economic issues, the technological issues and the regulatory issues – through a managed communications services platform that delivers the next-generation services we've all been waiting for - quickly, intelligently and cost effectively."

Bryan Van Dussen, director of the Yankee Group said: "Today's telecommunications carriers are in a bind to a) upgrade and modernize their networks; b) consolidate billing and support systems; c) handle falling revenue, fiscal constraints and competitive pressures; and d) withstand a blizzard of commercial, inter-carrier, and partnership agreements. At the same time, convergence is creating new revenue streams, markets and business models. Service providers must be able to identify and exploit these opportunities quickly. Managed telecommunication services providers, such as VeriSign, have the focus, scale and expertise to accelerate product development cycles, reduce costs and mitigate market risk."

VeriSign made several related announcements regarding wireless carriers and services at CTIA, underscoring its commitment to IC3. They include the following:

• The acquisition of the assets of Unimobile, a provider of mobile messaging solutions for carriers and enterprises. The acquisition, complemented by VeriSign's existing capabilities in encryption, security and services for wireless billing and mediation between carriers, positions VeriSign to play a major role in the secure delivery of business and entertainment content. VeriSign will incorporate the Unimobile technology with its own services to offer a broad new set of short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS) and secure content delivery capabilities.


• An agreement with MetroPCS through which MetroPCS will use VeriSign and Telespree's joint Self-Service Set-Up product. Self-Service Set-Up is a state of the art, network-based self-service solution that intuitively guides end users through wireless device activation or reactivation, and ongoing account maintenance using only the mobile device itself without the aid of a sales clerk or call center. MetroPCS will offer automated reactivation and rate plan change features via the handset for its customers.


• The interoperability approval of VeriSign's Wireless Calling Naming (WCNAM) Delivery solution from Nortel Networks*. Compatibility approval was achieved using CDMA and TDMA infrastructure equipment located in Nortel Networks Wireless Interoperability Lab in Richardson, Texas. VeriSign successfully tested its WCNAM Delivery solution on six handsets from vendors including Motorola, LG and Nokia. VeriSign, the first calling name database provider to introduce a WCNAM Delivery solution to the wireless market, is also the first provider to receive Nortel Networks' interoperability approval for this service.


* Nortel Networks is a trademark of Nortel Networks

For more information, or to view the releases issued during CTIA, go to http://www.verisign.com/telecom/index.html

About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), delivers critical infrastructure services that make the Internet and telecommunications networks more intelligent, reliable and secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands of businesses and millions of consumers connect, communicate, and transact with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com.