InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

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PRESS RELEASE: Siemens and Yahoo! To Offer VoIP-Enhanced Services In the Home
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2006--
Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Communications, Inc., today announced an agreement with Yahoo! to extend VoIP calling capabilities to Siemens' Gigaset Cordless Telephones. The relationship between Siemens and Yahoo! Messenger with Voice will enable consumers to enjoy voice-enhanced services not only at a PC, but from anywhere within the home.
Siemens and Yahoo! will offer the Siemens Gigaset M34 USB adapter, which IP-enables Gigaset telephones with the VoIP calling capabilities of Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. The adapter will allow users to make and receive calls through the free PC-to-PC calling feature of Yahoo! Messenger with Voice, and make cost-effective calls to fixed line phones through the Phone In and Phone Out features. Using their Gigaset handsets, customers will be able to easily access their Yahoo! Messenger friends' lists, view contacts and their presence status and change their personal presence status. The adapter is compatible with Gigaset cordless phones introduced after the fall of 2004 and that belong to the C-Class and above. The adapter will be available by the third quarter of 2006.
"It is rare that a business alliance is as seamless and complementary as the one we have just entered into with Yahoo!," said Martin Kinne, CEO of Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices. "While Siemens provides the plug-and-play cordless phone devices, Yahoo! delivers the 'killer-app' communication features that make in-home IP attractive to consumers."
The relationship reinforces the strategies of both players. Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices continues to expand Smart Home Connectivity by enabling a plug-and-play, in-home VoIP network and the associated feature enhancements and cost benefits. Specifically, users will be able to place free PC-to-PC voice calls, cost-effective calls to fixed line and mobile networks over the Internet and have access to their personal Yahoo! Messenger with Voice contact lists and corresponding presence information on their Gigaset.
"Yahoo! seeks to provide online products and services essential to people's lives. Our collaboration with Siemens enables us to offer our Yahoo! Messenger with Voice services beyond the PC, on additional devices. Working with Siemens will greatly increase the potential for new and existing users to take advantage of our rich communications suite," said Brad Garlinghouse, VP of Yahoo! Communications Products. "Today's announcement is a first step in a relationship that will expand and continue to benefit both Yahoo! and Siemens customers for a long time to come."
The global agreement gives users of Yahoo! Messenger with Voice the opportunity to order the Siemens Gigaset M34 USB adapter from a variety of retailers that can be found through the Yahoo! Web site.
About the Gigaset M34 USB
The Gigaset M34 USB makes it possible to take advantage of the economical calling and messaging service features of Internet telephony from anywhere at home using a cordless Gigaset phone. The Gigaset M34 USB is easily set up. It is simply inserted into an available USB slot on a PC, and the wireless DECT connection to the Internet is established via the Gigaset docking station to the handset. The Gigaset M34 USB not only offers the possibility of saving money with Internet telephony, but to keep track of recent voice messages from a list on the cordless phone display and to listen to Internet radio via the phones speakers.
About Yahoo! Messenger
As one of the most popular instant messaging services on the Internet, Yahoo! Messenger with Voice (http://messenger.yahoo.com) makes it easier than ever for people to express themselves, interact and manage relationships with friends and family. Yahoo! Messenger with Voice has a unique and proven history of innovation in instant messaging as the first to offer Webcam functionality, the first to introduce an interactive and shared experience with IMVironments(R), and the first to introduce animated emoticons. Yahoo! Messenger with Voice continues to the lead the marketplace by integrating with leading Yahoo! services including games, music, photos and search, and providing the greatest choice for consumers to stay connected to one another through text IM, PC-to-PC calling, e-mail, video or mobile text messaging.
About Yahoo! Voice
Through Yahoo! Voice's efforts, consumers will be able to take advantage of enhanced PC-based voice communications capabilities as part of their overall Internet experience. Yahoo! Voice will continue to offer advanced voice calling features and extend its PC-based voice platform across the Yahoo! Network. Today, Yahoo! Voice provides compelling calling solutions in Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.
Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices LLC
Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Communications, Inc. The company focuses on the design, manufacturing and distribution of the full range of Siemens Gigaset products, including cordless phones, home media devices and broadband products and services which enable seamless, integrated communication solutions for operators and consumers. The company operates worldwide with a fiscal year's revenue stream (September 30, 2005) of approximately $1.2 billion.
Find more press releases, press pictures, datasheets and footage material to download at www.siemens.com/gigaset/press
About Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo! seeks to provide online products and services essential to users' lives, and offers a full range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to connect with Internet users around the world. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Note: Siemens and Gigaset are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens AG or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens management. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices Aimee Carroll, 972-759-2382 [e-mail] or Connect Public Relations Spencer Parkinson, 801-373-7888 [e-mail] or Yahoo! Inc. Karen Mahon, 408-349-4152 [e-mail] SOURCE: Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices Copyright Business Wire 2006
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-08-06 0904ET