OmniSky extends beta program

Posted By: @tomic212 Monday, January 31, 2000 6:02:43 AM

In OmniSky's latest press release seen here, they announce the extension of the wireless Palm V Internet service beta program. They boosted the trial cap to 7500 customers. OmniSky expects to formally launch the service in April, prior to that, they will make revised software available to OmniSky product evaluators. Read more for the full press release announcement. Visit the OmniSky message board for latest OmniSky discussions.

Momentum continues for Wireless Internet Startup OmniSky – Company Soars past 5000-Customer Goal for its Public Beta Program, Closes a $20 Million Round of Venture Capital Funding, and Appoints Two New Board Members

PALO ALTO, Calif., January 31, 2000, OmniSky Corporation, the Silicon Valley startup that turns the popular Palm V or Palm Vx organizer into a handheld wireless email and Internet companion, today announced that it has extended its public beta trial to additional customers. The company had planned to sign up 5000 Palm V users for the public beta trial. With more than 6000 customers already participating in the trial, OmniSky has boosted the cap to 7500 customers.

"We’re delighted by the enthusiasm among Palm V users for the OmniSky wireless service during this public beta trial," said Patrick McVeigh, OmniSky’s chief executive officer. "This diverse group of beta customers is smart and vocal, they love the product, and they are providing valuable feedback for improvements to the OmniSky product and service as we move toward the formal launch this spring."

"OmniSky represents the next step in wireless Internet communications," said J. Gerry Purdy, president and chief executive officer of Mobile Insights. "They provide useful services with faster data communications that enable end users to get useful services right out of the box."

"My optimism about OmniSky is based on the company's experienced management team, their choice of a widely adopted, proven platform for their handheld wireless Internet service, and the fact that the product – even in beta form – is well integrated and surprisingly mature," said Bob Egan, vice president of GartnerGroup's Mobile and Wireless Service."

OmniSky also disclosed that it has closed its Series B round of venture-capital funding with a $20 million investment lead by the Sprout Group venture-capital affiliate of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Also participating was Aether Systems, which was a first round investor along with 3Com Corporation. In addition, OmniSky has appointed two new board members, Steve Diamond of the Sprout Group, and Tom Wheeler, the president and chief executive officer of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.

"This new investment in OmniSky positions us well for deploying all the right resources for our formal launch of the OmniSky wireless service in early Q2," said McVeigh. "And we are looking forward to the considerable expertise brought by our two new board members."

OmniSky Beta Trial Offer


The Palm V users participating in the public beta trial are signing up via the OmniSky web site at www.omnisky.com or by calling OmniSky at 800-860-5767. They are charged $299 for an OmniSky Minstrel V Wireless modem, software, and unlimited wireless service through the end of April 2000. After April, they will receive a lifetime 15% discount off the flat monthly fee for unlimited nationwide service. OmniSky has promised that the flat monthly fee will be less that $50 per month. The company plans to announce pricing for the product and service when it formally launches the service in the spring.

About OmniSky Corporation


OmniSky Corporation provides people on the go with fully featured, easy-to-use, integrated wireless solutions for "any time anywhere" access to the Internet. OmniSky’s initial offering is a nationwide Internet and email service for Palm V users. The company also plans to provide Internet, intranet and other personal data-access services for mobile users with a variety of existing and future IP-enabled wireless devices, including other Palm organizers, Windows CE devices, pagers and WAP (wireless application protocol)-enabled telephones. OmniSky will work worldwide to provide services to consumers and corporations over networks based on a wide range of protocols.

OmniSky is based in Palo Alto, California. The company’s web site is www.omnisky.com.

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OmniSky is a trademark of OmniSky Corporation. Minstrel V™ is a trademark of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Re: Omnisky for Europe??

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/31/2000 6:46:20 AM #
Does Omnisky have any plans to bring this to Europe?

The mobile comms market is huge in Europe (220 million cell phone by the end of 2000....)

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