PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Jan. 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- SmartServ Online, Inc. (OTCBB:SSRV), a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that provides mobile phone service with the best in low cost prepaid minute plans bundled with the latest in mobile content running on the company's mobile content infrastructure, today announced the official name change of SmartServ Online, Inc. to "Uphonia, Inc. (OTCBB:UPHN)." The new name Uphonia represents the company's transition from a mobile content developer and distributor to a new prepaid cellular phone service branded Uphonia. The company's new stock symbol is UPHN.
Robert Pons, President and CEO of SmartServ, commented, "This name change reflects our company's transition to a wireless service provider, utilizing our mobile content infrastructure to offer consumers a full featured prepaid cellular phone service. Uphonia is all about giving the prepaid consumer attractive pricing coupled with the best in mobile content, including ringtones, games and dynamic applications such as lottery and weather results. Thanks to our mobile content infrastructure we are able to offer consumers a high quality cell phone service bundled with a full complement of free mobile content, more efficiently and economically than other providers."
In addition to SmartServ changing its name to Uphonia, the company announced certain strategic initiatives for 2006 that will continue to help the company grow and create value for its shareholders. During 2005, Uphonia integrated the acquisition of our prepaid calling card division. We are currently working on improving the product mix and growing the margins. In 2006 our calling card division will significantly help our distribution for the soon to be launched prepaid cellular phone service.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, we met our financial contractual obligations to the wireless carrier providing us with one of best nationwide wireless networks for our soon to be launched prepaid cellular phone service. We also signed a contract with TMNG (OTC:TMNG) to provide the company with the necessary skills and relationships to assure our integration with our wireless carrier goes smoothly. We believe our wireless carrier integration process is well under way for a launch of our prepaid cellular service in the second quarter of 2006. Our prepaid cellular service is targeting ethnic/immigrant consumers who tend to live in urban markets. Recent research has indicated that this type of consumer is outspending other demographics when it comes to their monthly cell phone bill.
Looking out to 2006, we continue to entertain different discussions with companies that can provide added value to our prepaid cellular phone service and our calling card division. The companies are from industries that can provide added value to our products and help to differentiate Uphonia in the marketplace. Recently, we have met with both cell phone manufacturers and distributors as part of our path to launching our prepaid cellular service.
The distribution model we developed for our prepaid cellular service is one of the most efficient models for the marketing of new cell phone service. It leverages our existing prepaid calling card distribution network; this helps us to achieve one of the lowest costs for acquiring a new customer.
Also, in 2006 we are planning a new investor relations campaign to better inform our shareholders of Uphonia's progress. This campaign will also help educate the investment community and those following the MVNO sector of the value and opportunity Uphonia's stock represents.
Uphonia (formally SmartServ), headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, PA, is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that provides cellular phone service with the best in low cost, pre-paid minute plans, discounted international long distance, and the latest in mobile content, such as ringtones, mobile games, and images. Products and services are marketed under the UPHONIA brand. For more information please visit: www.uphonia.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this document and those made from time-to-time by the Company are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements concerning future plans or results are necessarily only estimates and actual results could differ materially from expectations. Certain factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, the "Risk Factors" described under the heading "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 and other SEC filings.