Bluetooth™ Special Interest Group Announces Release Of The Bluetooth 1.0 Specification

Industry Leaders Enabling Wireless Connectivity Between Mobile Devices

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 26, 1999 - The five founding companies of the Bluetooth™ Special Interest Group (SIG), Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba, today announced the release of the Bluetooth 1.0 specification. Bluetooth technology will provide an easier way for mobile computing and communications devices to communicate with one another and connect to the Internet at high speeds without the need for wires or cables. Bluetooth technology will also make it easier for users of mobile computers, mobile phones and handheld devices to keep their data synchronized.

With the completion of the Bluetooth 1.0 specification, developers from around the world can complete the design of products equipped with Bluetooth technology and prepare for product qualification and interoperability testing. The Bluetooth 1.0 specification consists of two documents: the Foundation Core, which provides design specifications, and the Foundation Profile, which provides interoperability guidelines.

Industry Impact
Over the past year, more than 200 engineers and technical experts from the Bluetooth SIG have contributed to the development of the specification. Products based on Bluetooth technology, such as mobile computers, mobile phones, handheld devices, and peripherals such as headsets and network access points, are expected to come to market in 2000. Research company Dataquest has predicted that 79 percent of digital handsets and more than 200 million PCs will incorporate Bluetooth technology by 2002.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group
Since its formation in May 1998, over 850 companies have joined the Bluetooth SIG. Originally conceived to provide an easier connection between mobile computers and mobile phones, Bluetooth technology has been embraced by a wide range of companies and industries such as computing, communications, automotive, package delivery and photography. A complete list of Bluetooth SIG members is available at www.bluetooth.com. Each member company receives a royalty-free patent license from other member companies to implement the Bluetooth 1.0 specification in its products. In addition, member companies receive access to Bluetooth technical specifications and intensive training seminars such as the Bluetooth Developers Conferences. Additionally, the Bluetooth SIG provides a forum for vendor interaction and co-development opportunities.

Company Backgrounder Information
Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacoms technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: www.ericsson.se/pressroom. Additional information about Ericsson and Bluetooth is available on the World Wide Web at www.ericsson.se/bluetooth.

IBM, the world's largest computer manufacturer, is also the world's largest software company and the world's largest provider of information technology services. Additional information is available at www.ibm.com.

Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions. Nokia is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks including related services. It also supplies multimedia terminals and computer displays. In 1998, net sales totaled EUR 13.3 billion (USD 15.7 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 51,000 people.

With sales of $44 billion (sales for fiscal year ending March 31st, 1997), Toshiba is the world's sixth largest electronics and electrical equipment manufacturer. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with over 180,000 employees in more than 55 countries throughout the world. Founded in 1875, Toshiba has had a long history as a technology innovator and invested more than $2.6 billion in R&D in 1997.

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