Java[tm] Technology for Wireless Industry Expert Group Releases its First Road Map

Cannes, France –- February 17, 2003 -- An incredible amount of innovation has marked the first 24 months of development of Java[tm] technology in wireless industries. As of today, over 20 carriers have deployed more than 50 million Java[tm] technology-based handsets worldwide. Over 80 models of Java[tm] technology-enabled handsets have been announced or shipped by more than 15 device manufacturers.

In order to drive this market with a careful balance of innovation, time-to-market, and interoperability, a balanced list of carriers, device manufacturers and software developers, have formed the Java[tm] Technology for the Wireless Industry (JTWI) Expert Group (JSR 185). This Java[tm] Community Process[sm] (JCPSM) program [ http://jcp.org/ ] expert group has a goal to collaborate and agree on a standard platform for Java[tm] technology-enabled mobile phones. Among these experts are Motorola, Nokia, Research In Motion (RIM), Siemens, Sony Ericsson, Sun Microsystems, Symbian, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and 4thPass. This group of experts has used its accumulated experience in the wireless industry to create a solid foundation for Java[tm] software development on mobile phones.

Today, many Java[tm] technology-enabled phones are based on the Java[tm] 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME[tm]) MIDP 1.0 and CLDC 1.0 specifications [ http://java.sun.com/j2me/ ]. In addition, most of the JTWI expert group members already support JCP defined extensions such as the Wireless Messaging API (JSR 120) and Mobile Media API (JSR 135) on top of MIDP 1.0. Moving forward in a consistent and innovative fashion, this group has laid out the technologies that will be present in next generation of Java[tm] technology-enabled devices. The core of these technologies includes MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.0, as well as the Wireless Messaging API, Mobile Media API and others. These capabilities will permit operators device manufacturers and application developers to create the next-generation services for mobile phones.

The first step in developing JSR-185 is the January 2003 publication of a road map that describes this platform. This road map will allow carriers to better plan their application deployment strategy, will permit device manufacturers to better determine their product plans, and offers content developers a clear path for their application development. Also to be delivered is a specification fulfilling the road map, which is expected to be finalised in the second quarter of 2003. The specification will impose requirements necessary to ensure interoperability of this platform.

Devices that meet this specification are expected to become available in the Autumn of 2003. Subsequent releases of this road map will reflect the evolution wireless device technologies.

"JSR 185 represents a major advance for Java[tm] technology and the wireless industry", said Alan Brenner, vice president, Consumer Mobile Software Group, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The major industry players have already rallied around the Java[tm] Community Process to define a powerful yet flexible client platform bringing the benefits of Java[tm] technology to millions of mobile devices. JSR 185 demonstrates the wireless industry commitment to establish Java[tm] technology as the leading solution to enable the secure, dynamic delivery and execution of data services on mobile devices."

"The market for wireless devices will soon serve over one billion users, offering an unparalleled opportunity for application developers to invent value-adding services that make consumers lives fun and less complex. Motorola's vision is that J2ME[tm] will be established as the OS independent application development environment of choice for the cellular industry.

Motorola believes that JSR 185 is key to achieving this vision," says Philip Gilchrist, vice president of PCS Global Standards and Technology Asset Management at Motorola.

"Establishing the JSR-185 is a good step in guiding all wireless Java[tm] technology interest groups forward in taking advantage of the technology. A widely supported roadmap is needed to enable operators, content providers and manufacturers to better identify and focus on an interoperable set of Java[tm] APIs and plan their activities. MIDP 2.0 marks an important milestone for the mobile industry and, combined with the Wireless Messaging API and the Mobile Media API, it enables developers to take better advantage of the various features of mobile devices. It becomes easier to build even more exciting and comprehensive Java[tm] technology-based applications for the mobile environment. We also believe that these core interfaces will be an attractive standardised solution to meet the requirements of the entire mobile industry," says Dr. Petri Haavisto, vice president of Architecture and Roadmapping at the Mobile Software Unit of Nokia.

Peter Zapf, president Mobile Phones at Siemens Mobile says: "Siemens mobile is absolutely committed to the Java[tm] platform. We produced the world's first mass market Java[tm] technology-based phone last year, and we are investing heavily in the platform for our future products. A product of that commitment includes the Java[tm] Masters competition. Launched recently with Sun Microsystems and Siemens SMAC, it is a ground breaking contest which invites the world's brightest student designers to help us shape the future of Java[tm] technology-based applications for mobile phones."

"MIDP2.0 and JSR-185 can be used to harmonise Java[tm] development efforts in the industry and to secure interoperability. Sony Ericsson has chosen Java[tm] as a core technology for its phones and will build Java[tm] technology-based applications around these core components. The development community and industry should adopt and leverage these standards to create a large base of interesting applications to be used across a multitude of devices; underlining what Java[tm] was developed for." says Sandeep Chennakeshu, chief technology officer of Sony Ericsson.

"Symbian supports and endorses the efforts of JSR185. On the one hand a stable cross platform Java[tm] standard is essential in order to provide the widest possible market for Java[tm] technology-based applications, on the other hand leading companies like Symbian and other members of the JSR185 expert group must be enabled, and indeed encouraged, to innovate in Wireless Java[tm]. JSR185 is achieving both of these goals.", said Jonathan Allin, Symbian's strategic product manager for Java[tm] Technology.

"JSR 185 brings more cohesion and consistency to the Java[tm] technology marketplace. It assures content developers there will be a predictable demand and revenue stream for Java[tm] technology-based applications. And it also reaffirms our goal to create a platform - not a product - for the benefit of the entire wireless community, operators, handset makers and developers," said 4thpass chief technical officer, Samir Mehta.

Through this effort, the JSR-185 Expert Group encourages the entire Java[tm] technology community to enhance, develop and guide the future direction of the J2ME platform standard for mobile phones.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer[tm]" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Solaris, Java, Netra, Sun Enterprise, Sun Fire and the Network is the Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc., in the United States and other countries.