MeT Initiative, ERICSSON, MOTOROLA AND NOKIA, to join MasterCard’s Global Mobile Commerce Forum

The MeT Initiative, whose initiators are Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia, today announced that they will cooperate with MasterCard International’s Global Mobile Commerce Forum, a cross-industry initiative focusing on the development of secure mobile payments over a variety of technology platforms. The Forum, which now has more than 200 participants, was established last November to foster knowledge exchange between MasterCard’s member financial institutions, network operators and leading mobile technology companies.

The ability to handle secure electronic transactions from a personal mobile device is regarded as one of the most important aspects of the Internet. A mobile device can be a tool for a variety of services, such as banking and trading, credit card and payment, loyalty/bonus and ID-card services. The MeT Initiative is working towards a common framework for mobile e-business, encompassing the security and payment issues involved. Working together with industry leaders in such a Forum will help to bring about swift and efficient adoption of mobile e-business solutions.

“With more than 500 million Internet enabled mobile terminals on the market by 2003 a fantastic opportunity opens up for mobile commerce,” says Jan Ahrenbring, vice president Marketing and Communications at Ericsson Mobile Communications. “In order to unleash the potential of the mobile commerce marketplace, a common, consistent and globally accepted environment for secure mobile transactions has to exist. Supporting MasterCard International's Global Mobile Commerce Forum is one step in the process of reaching this common understanding,” says Ahrenbring.

“Joining this Global Mobile Commerce Forum underlines the MeT Initiative’s commitment to the development of the mobile Internet and making it a secure environment for doing business. Trust is the essential factor for mobile interactions and transactions becoming accepted into the mainstream. MasterCard is to be commended on their initiative in bringing together global players across industries to work together on this common goal,” said Chris Jackson, vice president and general manager of Motorola's Personal Networks Group, EMEA.

“To build an environment for secure transactions in mobile e-business, it is beneficial that all key stakeholders participate in the process. It is thus a consistent step for the initiators of the MeT Initiative to cooperate with the Global Mobile Commerce Forum to achieve a common goal,” said Martti Granberg, director, E-business Technologies of Nokia Mobile Phones.

The last Global Mobile Commerce Forum meeting, which was co-hosted by MasterCard’s strategic alliance partner, Europay International, was held in March in Genval, Belgium. The event attracted more than 150 industry players from around the world. A wide variety of mobile commerce solutions were discussed at the event.

The MasterCard Mobile Commerce Forum meets quarterly to develop solutions to facilitate online payments capabilities through mobile devices, making them secure, consistent and globally interoperable.

“This forum includes key industry players, network operators, financial institutions and merchants, working together to address the full spectrum of issues related to mobile commerce,” said Chris Jarman, senior vice president, Mobile Commerce, MasterCard International. “As a leader in payment systems technology, this is a classic role for MasterCard. We are acting as a facilitator in the mobile commerce arena to help bring solutions to market.”

“Europe is leading the world in the development of innovative mobile commerce applications. Europay International is delighted that MeT has joined a truly open initiative that will help accelerate the roll-out of mobile commerce in Europe and provide many benefits to our member banks and their customers,” said Eric Joye, director, Services Group at Europay International.

About Ericsson
Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at www.ericsson.com/pressroom

About MasterCard International
MasterCard International has the most comprehensive portfolio of payment brands in the world. More than 1 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of 22,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is the leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. With more than 18 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard Card. In 1999, gross dollar volume exceeded US$727 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at http://www.mastercard.com.

About Europay International
Europay International, headquartered in Waterloo, Belgium, is the European banks' leading provider of personal payment and related services. At present, 239.5 million cards (Eurocard-MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus and eurocheque) provide European and global debit and credit services, and offer cash access to Europe's largest network of over 242,000 ATMs in 41 countries. Through its alliance with MasterCard International, Europay offers banks products accepted at almost 530,000 ATMs and 17 million locations worldwide. Europay’s Web site at www.europay.com provides much more information about Europay.

About Motorola, Inc.
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion. For more information about Motorola, visit the Website at www.motorola.com.

About Nokia
Nokia is paving the way to the Mobile Information Society with its innovative products and solutions. The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 56 000 people.

Further information:

Jan Ahrenbring, Vice President Marketing and Communications
Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
Phone: +46 70 590 9900
Jan.ahrenbring@ecs.ericsson.se

Christina Costa
MasterCard International
914 249 4606
christina_costa@mastercard.com

Patrick Hamilton
Motorola
441 256 790 481
patrick.hamilton@motorola.com

Maarit Oikarinen
Nokia
358 40 521 7844
maarit.oikarinen@nokia.com