Sprint Selects MapQuest.com to Provide Internet-based Driving Directions to Wireless Web Phone Users
MapQuest.com Expands Its Wireless Partnerships with Addition of Sprint PCS
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 1999-- MapQuest.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:MQST - news), a leader in destination information solutions, today announced a new partnership with Sprint PCS (NYSE:PCS - news), the nation's fastest growing wireless provider, to provide driving directions to Sprint PCS Wireless Web phones users.
Beginning in late September, Sprint PCS customers subscribing to the company's Wireless Web service can access MapQuest.com driving directions at anytime from anywhere on the Sprint PCS 100 percent digital nationwide wireless network.
``This new partnership reaffirms MapQuest.com's position at the forefront of the wireless world,'' said Mike Mulligan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MapQuest.com. ``At MapQuest.com we know that consumers are looking for directions while on the go. In fact, a January 1999 Jupiter Communications Report showed that driving directions is the killer app for mobile devices.''
Sprint PCS Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Charles Levine said: ``Sprint PCS is committed to providing our customers with clarity and connectivity nationwide. We chose to align with MapQuest.com because together, we can provide critical information to businesses and consumers to help them get wherever they need to be from anywhere in our nationwide network. Together, Sprint PCS and MapQuest.com are pioneering the way to offer mobile information access to customers nationwide. ''
MapQuest.com will provide city-to-city and door-to-door driving directions for Sprint PCS customers who subscribe to the company's Wireless Web service. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web will enable customers to make real-time connections to MapQuest.com and other select Internet-based content so they can interactively browse special text-only versions of popular web sites. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web will be available nationwide throughout the Sprint PCS network in late September.
MapQuest.com continues to expand its partnerships with leading wireless companies. On August 11, 1999, MapQuest.com announced that it was selected to provide driving directions for Yahoo!'s recent launch of Yahoo!® Mobile (http://mobile.yahoo.com). Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO - news), a global Internet media company, had already integrated MapQuest.com maps and driving directions throughout its network of Web properties including Yahoo! Maps (http://maps.yahoo.com) and Yahoo! Yellow Pages (http://yp.yahoo.com).
In addition, on May 24, 1999, MapQuest.com announced that it is the exclusive provider of driving directions for the Palm VII (TM) organizer, a wireless handheld computing product from Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company (Nasdaq:COMS - news). These initiatives demonstrate MapQuest.com's commitment to the continued development of products for the next generation of wireless devices.
About MapQuest.com
MapQuest.com, Inc. is the leader in destination information solutions and digital mapping services. The company launched its popular Web site (www.mapquest.com) on February 5, 1996. Today, MapQuest.com receives more than 3.9 million unique visitors monthly(1) to its consumer Web site.
In July of 1999, 12.7 million Internet users accessed MapQuest.com, equating to a 20.2% reach of the entire web audience1. As part of its business-to-business services, MapQuest.com helps businesses integrate maps and driving directions into their Internet, intranet and call center applications for improved marketing and customer service functions.
MapQuest.com has developed a diverse network of more than 650 business partners, including: Yahoo (YHOO), Lycos (LCOS), Infoseek (SEEK), Excite @Home (ATHM), AOL Digital City (AOL), CitySearch (TMCS), Travelocity (TSG), Bank of America (BAC), MasterCard, Kinko's, Blockbuster, and Dayton Hudson (DH).
In addition to Web-enabled mapping services, MapQuest.com also provides the underlying mapping and driving direction technology and components to a variety of vertical industries, such as corporate travel, hotels, real estate and retailers. It also provides high-quality maps and geographic content in digital form for print, electronic and broadcast publishers. MapQuest.com is listed on the Nasdaq; the ticker symbol is MQST.
(1) Media Metrix, July 1999
About Sprint PCS
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sprint PCS is a wholly-owned tracking group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol ``PCS.''
Sprint is a global communications company at the forefront in integrating long distance, local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' only nationwide all-digital, fiber optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $17 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 20 million business and residential customers.
MapQuest.com has included in this press release certain ``forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning MapQuest.com's business, operations and financial condition. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and MapQuest.com cautions you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of MapQuest.com is not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including (i) the volatile and competitive nature of the Internet industry, (ii) changes in domestic and foreign economic and market conditions, (iii) the effect of federal, state and foreign regulation on MapQuest.com's business, (iv) the development of competitive Web sites and businesses; (v) MapQuest.com's relative mix of Internet and traditional and digital mapping businesses, (vi) MapQuest.com's ability to protect its intellectual property rights and (vii) the effect of any future acquisitions. Investors are also directed to consider the other risks and uncertainties discussed in MapQuest.com's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made. MapQuest.com does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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