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TMCNet: Telit Firmware Update Services Help Customers Extend the Lifetime of Their M2M Products

[February 11, 2008]

Telit Firmware Update Services Help Customers Extend the Lifetime of Their M2M Products

BARCELONA --(Business Wire)-- Telit Wireless Solutions, Inc., the US-based m2m mobile technology arm of Telit Communications (AIM:TCM), is presenting its innovative Telit Firmware Update Services at Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona. With these services Telit is providing a secure and reliable method of remotely updating the firmware on M2M applications and mobile M2M devices. The Telit Firmware Update Services help customers extend the lifetime of their M2M products, therefore protecting their investment while saving money and decreasing the total cost of ownership of the products. Telit is one of the first players in the M2M market to employ such services in its product range.


With the Telit Firmware Update Services, M2M applications become much more stable, flexible and secure. These services enable Telit customers to update the software of the M2M modules integrated into their applications remotely over the air. Thus, m2m applications can respond quickly to changes in the operating environments that impact the module software, such as cellular network mandated changes. Customers are now equipped with a mechanism to remotely upgrade and downgrade software.

From the end of first quarter of 2008 all Telit modules will feature the services. The remote update of the module software will be handled by a special Firmware Update server which will maintain the configuration of all modules throughout the world. Users of the Telit Firmware Update Services have no need to maintain their own servers for this purpose, thus saving considerable expenses.

Enhanced investment protection, reduced costs

By using Telit's Firmware Update Services the size of the download to the module is minimized, thus less time and money is required. Furthermore, system integrators and developers can be guaranteed that the software is up-to-date with the latest enhancements and features. Due to the fact that product lifecycles can span 5 to 10 years in the M2M market, Telit Firmware Update Services ensure that network changes affecting an application's performance can be mitigated. They help customers protect their investments into application development.

"The introduction of the Telit Firmware Update Services significantly increases the value for our customers by reducing on-site visits and keeping recalls of remote applications to a minimum," said Roger Dewey, President and CEO of Telit Wireless Solutions.

Based on proven technology

To create these services for its clients, Telit exclusively partnered with Red Bend Software, the market leader in Mobile Software Management and FOTA update solutions.

"We are not inventing our own services - as our competitors do - but are relying on the proven vCurrent(R) Mobile client software by Red Bend," states Dewey. According to the market research firm OVUM, 49% of all FOTA-enabled mobile phones currently use Red Bend's technology.

Red Bend's software identifies the essential changes from an existing version of firmware to a new version. Thus, it efficiently utilizes bandwidth-constrained wireless networks by delivering only the essential changes. Additionally, the software reduces the new updated firmware to a compact package, up to 97% smaller than can be achieved through other techniques, to allow for an efficient over-the-air delivery. It installs the new firmware within the limited memory available on a wireless device. It provides a unique fail-safe feature that eliminates the risk in rendering a device "disabled" due to a power loss by automatically resuming updates from the point of interruption. Additionally, it manages different versions of updated firmware and their deployment on a variety of devices.

Telit is currently preparing special service packages tailored to its customers. Details regarding service offerings and costs will be unveiled at the end of second quarter 2008. At Mobile World Congress, Hall 1, stand 1G31, customers can experience a live demo showing how a software package is transferred and updated via the Telit Firmware Update Services.

About Telit

Telit is a leading global wireless technology company. It develops, manufactures and markets GSM/GPRS, UMTS/HSDPA and CDMA/EVDO enterprise communication modules for machine-to-machine (m2m) applications which streamline business processes by enabling machines, devices and vehicles to communicate via mobile networks. Telit's products are sold and deployed worldwide through offices in China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and the USA. Telit Communications PLC is listed on the AIM (Ticker: TCM). For more information about the company, please visit www.telit.com.

About Red Bend Software

Red Bend Software helps mobile phone manufacturers and network operators to accelerate the adoption of new services and features, respond rapidly to customer needs, and reduce support costs through mobile software management solutions. LG Electronics, Motorola, NEC, Sharp, Sony Ericsson, and other large handset manufacturers use Red Bend's firmware over-the-air (FOTA) mobile client software to quickly and reliably deliver compact firmware updates to more than 255 million mobile phones in the hands of consumers. Founded in 1999, Red Bend Software is a privately held, venture capital-financed company with offices in China, Israel, Japan, Korea, the U.K. and the U.S. More information is available at www.redbend.com.

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