Upoc Networks Hosts Text Messaging Chat for AT&T Wireless Customers with Gold Medal Winners Michael Phelps and Carly Patterson

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2004--

Second Chat with Gold Medalist Carly Patterson Scheduled for September 7, 8:30 pm (EDT)

“We are delighted that AT&T Wireless has chosen our Moderated Chat platform to connect fans with their favorite athletes. This is a compelling example of making mobile data human and folding it into the fabric of these fans' passions.”

Last week, AT&T Wireless and Upoc Networks hosted a moderated, live "TXT Chat" for fans of swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps. Subscribers were invited to join the chat session by texting the word "swim" to the number 11111 from their handsets, and could then send in their questions for Phelps via text message.

While lounging on the top level of a cruise ship docked in Athens, Michael Phelps used his AT&T Wireless phone to answer dozens of questions sent in by chat participants, all in near real-time. Thousands of fans joined the fun, and close to 250,000 text messages were generated during the one-hour chat and subsequent group chat that took place at the conclusion of the Q & A session. Fans asked Phelps questions ranging from what he would say to motivate young swimmers to the most embarrassing thing that has happened to him in Athens. For example:

    Q from TedM29: Since U have accomplished so much already, what new
        goals have U established?
    Phelps: I would like to bring even more attention to swimming as a
        sport in the US.

    Q from DanniP: How come the new swim suits are so low?
    Answer: It's just the style - each athlete has their own personal 
        preference.

AT&T Wireless will follow this landmark mobile messaging event with another TXT Chat, this time featuring American gymnastics star and All-Around Gold Medalist Carly Patterson. The TXT Chat with Carly Patterson is scheduled for September 7th at 8:30 pm EDT, and AT&T Wireless customers with two-way text messaging phones can join by texting the word "gym" to the number 11111. Standard text messaging fees apply to messages sent during the TXT Chat; messages received are $.02 each.

For more information, visit www.attwireless.com/usolympics.

In making the announcement, Upoc Networks CEO David Friedensohn said: "We are delighted that AT&T Wireless has chosen our Moderated Chat platform to connect fans with their favorite athletes. This is a compelling example of making mobile data human and folding it into the fabric of these fans' passions."