Convergence is a reality on the Isle of Man

Warwick, 07, January, 2002 - mmO2, Virgin Radio and Crown Castle International have announced the creation of a partnership with the objective of demonstrating the potential of converged technologies from the broadcasting (DAB - digital radio) and mobile telecommunications (3G) industries.

The launch of this trial will take place in January 2002 on the Isle of Man and will incorporate two new communications networks on the island. These will be Manx Telecom's (a wholly owned subsidiary of mmO2) Pronto 3G network and a test digital radio network built by Crown Castle.

"The convergence of these technologies presents an exciting opportunity for all of the partners involved and, importantly, for future potential customers," explained Ilona McMullan, mmO2 3G applications and services.

McMullan continues: "Feedback from triallists on the Isle of Man will enable the partners to develop and establish applications and services that are customer centric and demonstrate the power of these converged technologies."

Virgin Radio will launch an exciting new interactive, personalised radio service called Manx Choice. The service will enable its listeners to either create a personalised playlist or influence the stations music choice through online voting.

SMG Radio's commercial development director, Lee Roberts comments: "This is a very exciting project and combines the best of new broadcasting technology with the latest innovations in mobile phone networks. We knew from the beginning of our discussions with Manx Telecom that we would be creating something special.

"As well as bringing new radio services to the Isle of Man, we can showcase interactive radio stations and experiment with technology developed for the Internet. Streaming radio services over DAB could potentially lead to dozens of new channels available to the public."

The combination of these two networks on the island marks an important step forward in the development of converged services. Crown Castle has played an important role in the integration of these two networks on the island because of its experience with both technologies.

Dave Dimambro, manager, broadcast networks at Crown Castle explained: "Historically, transmission channels for telecom and broadcast networks have been used separately. This trial makes the optimum use of each network and allows multimedia services to be delivered in the most efficient manner. Putting applications at the heart of the system will drive the success of convergence. We will also demonstrate seamless linking between DAB and 3G services."

DAB is the latest Digital Radio technology and will ultimately replace analogue (FM and AM). Digital radio networks offer higher quality audio services and the option of adding a multitude of programme related services alongside the radio programmes for example text data such as, news, programme information, traffic information and commercials.

The ability to develop and introduce these new types of data services is a strong driver behind the project. By doing so the project partners will demonstrate for the first time the convergence of 3G and DAB over operational networks.

Two additional application providers have been appointed to assist in the development of these services. These are Unique Interactive which is a company focused on broadcasting multimedia content with a strong local flavour.

The second data partner, XY Network, will be creating innovative, streamed media services. These include audio-on-demand services based on their GSM/GPRS audio delivery technologies, as visible at www.xy.fm/ and live interactive radio entertainment programmes.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

mm02
mm02, formerly BT Wireless - one of the leaders in mobile communications across Europe - serves 16.6 million customers throughout the wholly owned subsidiary busineses - BT Cellnet in the UK, Viag Interkom in Germany, Telfort in the Netherlands, Digifone in Ireland, Manx Telecom on the Isle Of Man, and the European mobile internet business, Genie.

VIRGIN RADIO/SMG
Virgin Radio, the home of Ten Great Songs in a Row, has a weekly audience of over 3.7 million listeners. Virgin Radio broadcasts on 1215AM Nation-wide and 105.8FM in London and the South East. Virgin Radio is one of the world's most popular web radio stations. It is wholly owned by SMG plc. Visit our website at www.virginradio.co.uk.

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL
Crown Castle International engineers, deploys, owns and operates technologically advanced, shared wireless infrastructure. It offers near-universal broadcast coverage in the United Kingdom and significant wireless communications coverage to 68 of the top 100 US markets and more than 90 percent population coverage in the UK, and Australia. Pro forma for all closed and previously announced transactions, Crown Castle owns, operates, and manages over 14,000 wireless communication towers internationally. In addition, Crown Castle has development rights to 4,000 fibre exchange sites in the UK.

THE DIGIZONE LIMITED
The Digizone Limited is owned 50:50 by GWR Group plc and the UBC Media Group plc. It currently runs as a data service on the Digital One national UK multiplex providing interactive content from the Cartoon Network, ITN, Classic FM and Core (a national audio channel). Unique Interactive Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of UBC Media Group plc and specialises in the development of technological solutions relating to audio distribution and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB).

XY NETWORK
XY Network is an award-winning technology and media company, part of the Somethin' Else Group. It enables media and cellular mobile networks to work together technically, legally and creatively. Clients such as Genie and MTV provide scheduled and on-demand audio-visual services for the mobile Internet based on the Company's platform. Committed to DAB for five years, XY staff produced the first-ever multimedia radio programme for the BBC, and won the "BT Radio Academy Award for Innovation" for their second such programme.