Kodiak Networks Announces Licensing Agreement With Research In Motion (RIM) for Push-to-Talk (PTT) on Blackberry

SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kodiak Networks, a leading mobile solutions innovator, announced today that it has signed a global licensing agreement with Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM)(TSX: RIM) to feature a series of integrated mobile applications including Push-to-Talk (PTT) on BlackBerry® handsets. Kodiak's applications target business and leisure users and are featured on the BlackBerry® Pearl™ available from Cingular Wireless.

“Teaming up with Kodiak to power these devices with unparalleled voice service capabilities is extremely exciting for all segments of the wireless market.”

The licensing agreement allows RIM to integrate a Java version of the Kodiak handset client with BlackBerry handsets and enables joint development and marketing efforts.

The Kodiak mobile applications capability appeals broadly to all users who need instant communications for personal and professional use. The BlackBerry Pearl from Cingular includes several convenient voice features not available with other PTT systems, such as:

• Availability — Instantly displays the current availability/status of friends, family, and business colleagues to receive a wireless call. Availability states include “Available,” “Silent,” “Do Not Disturb,” and “Unavailable.”
• Call Me Alerts — The ability to alert others that a user needs to talk and allows them to call back directly from the PTT button.
• Call Waiting — Allows users to easily accept voice calls and other PTT calls during an existing PTT session.
• Convert to Cellular — Enables BlackBerry Pearl customers to convert an individual or group PTT call instantly to a standard cellular call or instant mobile conference call at the touch of a button.
• Voice Messaging — Easily records and concurrently distributes voice messages to an individual or multiple voicemail boxes without ringing the called parties’ telephones. Does not require the caller to remember telephone or PIN numbers.
• Contact List Privacy — Permission-based contact management. Users authorize which contact and group lists they join.

“Kodiak Networks is extremely proud to partner with RIM,” said Timothy Hall, vice president of strategic alliances, Kodiak Networks. “We strongly believe that RIM's product innovation combined with market-focused solutions from Kodiak sets a new benchmark for converged, smart devices in the mobile marketplace.”

“As a long-standing leader in the smart device market, RIM has an excellent reputation for creating compelling products that address the unique requirements of the mobile professional,” said leading analyst Andy Seybold of Outlook4Mobility. “Teaming up with Kodiak to power these devices with unparalleled voice service capabilities is extremely exciting for all segments of the wireless market.”

About Kodiak Networks

Kodiak Networks (www.kodiaknetworks.com) provides wireless operators with a comprehensive mobile solutions portfolio that includes a multi-generational IMS platform and the most extensive client offering in the industry. Kodiak Networks offers a variety of integrated mobile applications including Messaging, Conferencing, PTT, and Mobile Presence and Contact Management. The Kodiak solutions portfolio can easily scale from independent operators to multinational carriers utilizing 2G or 3G wireless networks. Kodiak carrier customers include Orange S.A (Europe); Alltel, Amp’d Mobile, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellcom, Cellular South, Cingular Wireless, Carolina West, East Kentucky Network, MTS Allstream and 3Rivers Wireless (North America); Airtel, Idea, and Tata Indicom (India); and IT&E (Guam). Kodiak has licensed its client software to industry leading handset and SIM manufacturers including RIM, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, HTC, Pantech, Palm, Kyocera, Sagem, TCL & Alcatel Mobile Phones, Gemalto and Sagem-Orga.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.