Frost & Sullivan Commends WiderThan's Sophisticated Service Delivery Platform in the DRM Market

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 25  /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan presented WiderThan (NASDAQ:WTHN) the 2006 Next-Generation Service Delivery Platform Award in the U.S. mobile DRM markets at last week's 2006 Global Excellence Awards ceremony. The Award acknowledges the superiority of the WiderMusic(TM) Service Platform (WMSP), which offers next-generation DRM capabilities as a core component of the overall modular architecture.

WiderThan has leveraged its strong, in-house technical expertise to develop and offer enhanced DRM capabilities within the WMSP - a platform that has emerged as the first choice for leading U.S. mobile operators' next- generation mobile entertainment service offerings. It has been critical in helping content providers introduce their wares on mobile networks without any fears of unauthorized content usage and revenue leakage.

"The DRM module is extensible and can support multiple DRM systems such as OMA DRM, Microsoft's Windows Media DRM, Melodeo DRM, SDC AG DRM, and multiple DRM implementations for dual-delivery models," said Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Vikrant Gandhi. "For example, it can offer OMA DRM protection for the mobile music file, while Windows Media DRM can protect content for the PC- delivered copy."

Ideally, a mobile operator will prefer to implement a consistent DRM technology across all its next-generation mobile content services. The choice of a proprietary DRM solution may be driven by time-to-market considerations in some cases, which can result in inconsistent DRM implementations and multiple technologies.

The WMSP's pre-existing support for multiple DRM technologies allows it to be in harmony with the overall DRM framework of an operator, simplifying device implementations, as well as ensuring scalability. Partnering with WiderThan also helps mobile operators to quickly launch next-generation mobile content services without compromising on any aspect.

"The WMSP platform has a built-in evolution path to support mobile video services and can be easily modified to support mobile video service with the same kind of DRM options available for mobile music services," noted Gandhi. "The U.S. next-generation mobile content service market is still nascent, and an integrated mobile platform that aids rapid service deployment adds greater value to mobile operators' service strategies."

"We are honored to have received this recognition from Frost & Sullivan," said Vern Poyner, CEO of WiderThan Americas. "WiderThan is committed to meeting its ever-growing customer needs. Offering comprehensive services, including flexible and reliable DRM, has been a central differentiator for us - particularly as the mobile entertainment and music industries increasingly integrate with next-generation technology."

Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to a company that offers a superior set of DRM capabilities within its service delivery platform for protecting next-generation mobile content pieces such as mobile audio and video. The Award highlights the DRM capabilities of the platform and their success in meeting the requirements for next-generation mobile content pieces that are considerably different than those for premium content.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About WiderThan

WiderThan is a leading provider of integrated mobile entertainment solutions for wireless carriers. Our applications, content and services enable wireless carriers to provide a broad range of mobile entertainment, such as ringback tones, music-on-demand, mobile games, ringtones, messaging and information services, to their subscribers. WiderThan currently provides mobile entertainment solutions to more than 45 wireless carriers in over 20 countries, including SK Telecom in Korea, Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless in the United States, Bharti Airtel in India and Globe Telecom in the Philippines.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.awards.frost.com/ or http://www.ict.frost.com/ .

   Contact:

   Stacie Jones
   Frost & Sullivan
   210.247.2450
   

   Maya Lee
   Fleishman-Hillard for WiderThan
   212.453.2317
   

DATASOURCE: Frost & Sullivan



CONTACT:  Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan, [phone], or

 ; or Maya Lee of Fleishman-Hillard, [phone],

or  , for WiderThan



Web site:  http://www.frost.com/

http://www.awards.frost.com/

http://www.ict.frost.com/ 

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