Telcordia and NorBelle Collaborate to Provide Real-Time, Highly Precise Accurate, M2M Tracking

location based services

Ability to Dynamically Track Mobile Users in Real-Time Opens Doors to a Multitude of New and Improved Carrier Offerings


PISCATAWAY, N.J.-- May 15, 2006--Telcordia Technologies, Inc., (www.telcordia.com) today announced a strategic alliance with NorBelle, LLC (www.norbelle.com), an international wireless location technology provider, to commercialize and deliver mobile-to-mobile tracking solutions that provide real-time location reporting and significantly improved accuracy in tracking to end users. These applications will be part of the Telcordia(R) Maestro(TM) IMS portfolio delivering product- and hosted-based solutions to wireless carriers globally.


This new and innovative product offering is based on the Telcordia(R) Maestro(TM) IMS portfolio and NorBelle's flagship product, Cearch(TM), which increases the accuracy and extends the application of location based solutions. Based on sophisticated algorithms developed and patented by NorBelle, it is maximized for handset-to-handset and handset-to-tag transactions. This state-of-the-art GPS and location accuracy enhancement system dynamically allows one wireless device in motion to track and locate any other wireless device in motion with precision.

Telcordia is bringing this advanced technology to market to enhance its leadership role in delivering applications that allow carriers to deliver leading-edge solutions that set them apart from the competition. This brings significant benefits, for example, better parental guidance as to the exact whereabouts of their children, or greater productivity/responsiveness in managing small business field forces or delivering more accurate asset tracking for enterprise customers. In addition, it also gives carriers a more innovative way to deliver mobile marketing messages, creating additional revenue streams. In each case, the unique ability to track from a mobile device to another mobile device with real-time updates frees end users from being tied to a fixed location or device to track another person or physical asset.

Now, with the Telcordia(R) Maestro(TM) IMS portfolio and Cearch- enabled devices, the solution will consistently bring the user within "line of sight" of the person or object they are seeking on the most prevalent receivers in the most challenging of GPS reception environments . Where devices employ coherent tracking GPS receivers, Cearch technology can improve relative positioning performance to within 1-meter. The highly accurate relative measurements are accompanied by NorBelle's unique and patented mobile application, which intuitively guides a user with a compass-like arrow that points to a target in any terrain without necessitating the use of miniature maps or short form text messages. While this capability is quite helpful in busy and densely populated locals, it is indispensable in unmapped areas.

"We believe that location tracking provides carriers worldwide with significant service offering opportunities, while meeting the demands of their subscribers," said Mike Henderson, president, Global Solutions, Telcordia. "When looking for a partner to enable location tracking services, Telcordia found Norbelle to be the perfect company due to its advanced technology advancements and flexible business model. We look forward to working together to bring location based services to market on a mass scale."

Improved accuracy is the lynchpin in the value proposition for certain high demand commercial, consumer and emergency location services. Whether it is an enterprise tracking precious cargo, a small business efficiently managing a limited field force or more importantly, a parent searching for a lost child or a Police Department trying to locate a wireless user in an emergency...how close a searcher can be brought to the true position of their target, matters. In a city like New York, reliably being able to locate a car within a half block or less is highly efficient whereas narrowing its location to a six or eight square block vicinity, is effectively useless.

"Mobile-to-mobile real-time tracking is just one example of a more valuable location service. With the Cearch platform providing carriers with the capability to improve the accuracy of a wide variety of other location offerings, the true potential for revenues from this space is much more likely to be realized," said Patrick Mulhearn, CEO, NorBelle. "NorBelle and Telcordia together will be providing next-generation solutions through technology leadership to meet a variety of end-user Location Based Services needs."

The LBS conundrum has been: how can the consumer research consistently identify such enormous demand for tracking products, while no carrier offering has approached that level of success in the market? Telcordia and NorBelle expect to help carriers bridge that gap with Cearch technology. "If you can't be brought close enough to see what you are looking for, you can't find it. If you can't find it, why would you pay for something that purports to be a "tracking service?" asks Patrick Mulhearn, "It is just as true that if you can depend on a service to consistently, accurately, reliably allow you to monitor and/or rendezvous with your child, that capability becomes, as they say, "priceless" in times of need. Truly effective location products will sell themselves".

Telcordia is embarking on multiple tier-one trials with carriers across the globe, having completed lab trials with a major carrier in North America supporting both GSM and CDMA technologies. NorBelle has already secured relationships with wireless tag manufacturers to support this new technology.

About NorBelle

Founded in 1999, NorBelle is a location systems engineering firm offering a wide array of server, application and device-based solutions. Underpinning all of NorBelle's offerings is its patented Cearch(TM) technology that enables significantly enhanced accuracy on multiple location methodologies (GPS, and land-based trilateration including AFLT, TDOA, etc.). Together with its strategic global partners, NorBelle will introduce "turnkey" network, commercial and consumer product solutions through wireless operators in Europe and the United States providing for the easy and secure tracking of people and things in a highly accurate way.

NorBelle has a network of licensed strategic partners that includes: chip makers; OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers); LSPs (Location Service Providers); and wireless carriers/operators. NorBelle, LLC is a privately held concern whose major institutional investors include Palisade Capital Partners and Weichert Equity. For more information, please visit NorBelle on the web at (www.NorBelle.com).

About Telcordia

Telcordia Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of telecommunications network software and services for IP, wireline, wireless, and cable. As the industry continuously evolves, Telcordia is focused on being the undisputed transformation partner for its customers. By delivering flexible, standards-based software solutions and consulting services that optimize complex network and business support systems, Telcordia helps customers transform their business while aggressively reducing costs and growing revenues. Telcordia is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J., with offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America. (www.telcordia.com)

Telcordia is a trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

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