Preferred Voice (PVI) and First Cellular of Southern
Illinois will be the first to see the results of the tremendous potential with
personalized ringbacks that are experiencing strong adoption and growth overseas
DALLAS, TX-October 22, 2004 - Preferred Voice, Inc. (PVI)
(OTCBB: PFVI), a leading provider of personalization services, and First
Cellular of Southern Illinois today announced the launch of a new personalized
ringbacks service called Xtreme Ring for First Cellular's subscribers in the
mid-west. This marks the first commercial availability in the U.S. for ringbacks
which have the potential to be the fastest growing mobile service this year.
The market opportunity for ringbacks is substantial. It sits at the
intersection of two of the most successful areas of wireless data:
personalization services, which have the most penetration and mobile music,
which is the fastest revenue generator. Personalization and music are especially
important to the lucrative youth market, who represent the growth of the market.
Ringbacks are already experiencing tremendous success in Asia. Korea's No. 1
wireless provider, SK Telecom has achieved more than 30% penetration in just 2
years. Ringbacks are returning solid results on increasing ARPU for carriers in
Asia. Korea's SK Telecom has reported an increase of $2.44 in ARPU, Taiwan's
Mobitai an increase of $1.84 and FarEasTone (FET) an increase of $1.84. In
addition, Mobitai reports an average of 6 downloads a month with FET at an
average of 2.5 downloads a month.
"Because of Preferred Voice's managed services approach and its proven
architecture, we were able to launch quickly which is a huge advantage to us. In
a market that is extremely competitive, Preferred Voice enables us to be
innovative, quickly launch new services with little capital outlay, and provide
the best service to our subscribers ahead of the largest carriers in the U.S.,"
said Terry Addington, President and CEO, First Cellular of Southern Illinois.
"There has been a lot of talk about the potential of ringbacks in the U.S.
and how this new personalization service can provide significant value to
operators to generate revenue, increase ARPU and decrease churn while allowing
subscribers to tailor their service to their unique needs. We are excited to be
the first to make this a reality in the U.S. market and capitalize on the huge
growth potential," said Latif Nathani, CEO of Preferred Voice.
Announced just last month, PVI's personalized ringbacks provide a
network-based personalization service that enables users to choose an audio file
that callers will listen to while the phone is ringing. PVI's ringback service
provides First Cellular with a new way to increase average revenue per user
(ARPU) and decrease churn while providing advanced customization and
personalization services for its subscribers. Unlike downloadable ringtones,
which reside on the handset, ringback tones reside on the network. Because
ringback tones are network-based and do not reside on devices, both wireless and
wireline carriers can offer this service.
First Cellular's Xtreme Ring will allow subscribers to personalize their
dialing experience and entertain their callers with favorite music tracks, sound
effects and self-created messages. For example, a subscriber could assign a
ringback to her best friend to hear a song such as "Girls Just Want To Have
Fun," while she's waiting for her to pick up or assign "Money, Money, Money" to
play for her parents when they call. One will also be able to further select the
tune to be heard on a particular day of the week and/or time of the day.
PVI's personalized ringbacks are a core integrated product in its mobile
personalization services Suite "My Phone Services" for wireless carriers that
provides a new breed of wireless applications enabling user-centric
communications. In addition to ringbacks, the suite includes tightly integrated
products including the Advanced Network Address Book, Network Voice Activated
Dialing, Push2Connect, and SmartLine.
You can experience PVI's ringbacks product at CTIA Wireless I.T. and
Entertainment 2004 October 25-27 at booth #821.
About Preferred Voice
Based in Dallas, TX, Preferred Voice, Inc. (OTCBB: PFVI) is a leading
provider of personalization services for wireless, ILEC and CLEC companies.
PVI's "My Phone Services" suite includes tightly integrated products including
the Advanced Network Address Book, Network Voice Activated Dialing,
Push2Connect, SmartLine and Rockin' Ringback. For more information visit www.preferredvoice.com .
Contact:
Joni Hanson
Preferred Voice
(206) 972-6823 or
joni@drivepointcomm.com
Except for historical information contained in this press release,
statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from what is set forth in this
press release, as more fully described in the Company's filings with the SEC.
The Company does not intend to update any of such statements.