m-spatial and Orange UK Trial Java Mobile Local Search

Cambridge UK, 29 January 2007: m-spatial today announces a partnership with Orange UK that further enhances its reputation for innovation and leadership in the mobile local search sector. In an extension to its existing relationship with m-spatial, Orange UK is sponsoring a trial of m-spatial's new Java version of the Orange Local mobile search and discovery service.

The trial, which began in December 2006, is comparing consumer reactions to the differing user experiences provided by the existing Orange Local browser-based service and the new Java service.

"The success of the Orange Local service in the UK and its incredible value in encouraging consumer adoption of mobile data has confirmed mobile local search as a strategic priority for the business," said Steve Ricketts, Orange UK. "By partnering with m-spatial on this trial we expect to generate a wealth of usage and behavioural information which will be used to ensure we continue to deliver the most compelling and intuitive service to our customers."

Built on m-spatial's Local Search and Discovery Engine (LSDE)™, the browser based version of Orange Local was launched at the beginning of 2006. Downloadable onto the mobile from the Orange World portal, m-spatial's new Java service builds on the LSDE technology, offering users additional functionality including the ability to smoothly pan and zoom around a map-based view of local services.

As a thin-client, the Java service also continues to enable users to dynamically retrieve rich and up-to-the-minute information relating to the chosen venue, business or service via a connection to live mobile internet services aggregated through the LSDE.

"With ever increasing numbers of handsets being Java enabled, the time is right to uniquely combine the benefits of a Java-based user interface with live access to a wealth of local content ," said Andy Walker, CEO of m-spatial. "We continue to drive mobile local search forward, taking advantage of the increasing sophistication of mobile handsets to deliver state-of-the-art services to consumers. Today's announcement is testament to our commitment to innovation in delivering the best possible user experience and we are delighted to have extended our relationship with Orange UK."

The new Java version of Orange Local went live in December and is available for download from the Orange World mobile portal for a limited number of trial participants.

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial is the market leader in mobile local search - connecting consumers to 'local' businesses and information via mass market mobile phones. m-spatial provides its products via a white label ASP delivery model to mobile network operators, directory providers and search engines. Its international customers include Orange, Vodafone, O2 and Seat PagineGialle, Italy's leading directory provider. m-spatial's innovative and unique approach to mobile local search delivers a 'made for mobile' user experience which offers consumers quick and simple access to both a breadth and depth of 'local' information including businesses, amenities, events and traffic conditions and is compatible with the majority of mass market mobile phones.

www.m-spatial.com

For further information:

Chris Gent
Octopus
T: +44 (0)845 370 0655
E: chris@octopuscomms.net