IBM Launches New Center to Help Mobile Communications Industry Meet Growing Demand for Real-Time Customer Analytics and Dynamic Network Utilization

BARCELONA, Spain, February 15, 2011 - MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the creation of
a new Center of Excellence for the communications industry. The center, which
features Openet solutions, is designed to help service providers with new
technologies to meet bandwidth demands and increasing customer service
requirements driven by the growing use of smart phones, tablets, devices and
the mobile Web.

(Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )

With the expanding gap between increased network traffic volumes and data
services revenues, the ability to provide the level of bandwidth customers
need in real-time is becoming critical for mobile operators. Communications
service providers are faced with rethinking how their bandwidth is allocated
so they are able to offer customers the bandwidth required for a particular
service precisely when they need it — whether it is for a quick SMS text
message or for a data-intensive video download. Openet's suite of proven
solutions enables Communications Service Providers to control network
traffic, monetize new and existing services and guarantee Quality of
Experience for mobile device users.

The new IBM Dynamic Service Control Center of Excellence combines IBM
technologies with the Openet platform to provide Communications service
providers the ability to control, monetize, and personalize services for
their subscribers. Openet provides mediation, rating and charging, balance,
subscriber and policy management capabilities, along with analytics for all
functions. For example, Openet's solutions can set usage thresholds based on
time of day, subscriber plan, or data consumption to make sure that
appropriate actions are carried out once those thresholds are reached. It
then allows service providers to charge resulting usage against a pre- or
post-paid account.

The Center expands IBM's leadership in analytics for the communications
industry, recognizing the need for providers to test and adopt new
intelligent service control technology. The center allows IBM clients to:

    - Test new technology and proofs of concept in a "sandbox" environment
    - Access a global pool of experienced subject matter experts in IBM and
      Openet technologies
    - Access custom training tailored to Openet applications for intelligent
      service control
    - Access and obtain support for other solutions including the IBM Cloud
      Service Provider Platform and the Service Provider Delivery Environment
      (SPDE)
    - Support in using real-time analytics from Openet as well as IBM
      business analytics optimization resources including IBM Netezza, Unica
      and Cognos software
    - Integrate IBM and Openet solutions in their own environment

"The launch of IBM's Dynamic Service Control Center of Excellence based
on the Openet platform demonstrates our commitment to deliver integrated
joint solutions to our clients," said Niall Norton, CEO of Openet. "IBM has a
proven track record in delivering solutions that enable new business models
and services. IBM and Openet will help our clients differentiate their
capabilities now and in the future, in an environment that simulates today's
network challenges."

The new Center of Excellence will also allow clients to access IBM's
global capabilities including the IBM Telecom Business Analytics and
Optimization Center of Excellence based in Dublin, Ireland. IBM Global
Business Services provides consulting, systems integration, and application
management services around the Openet platform and applications.

"Communications service providers are looking for ways to differentiate
themselves while efficiently managing the increasing demands on their
networks," said Scott Stainken, general manager, IBM Global
Telecommunications Industry. "Real-time service control is a powerful tool to
differentiate the subscriber experience, allowing more customized services,
while deep analytics allows providers to create more targeted customer
interactions. IBM's technology expertise combined with Openet's platform
gives providers powerful new insight to grow their business and speed the
adoption of next generation solutions."

The new Telecom Center of Excellence is based in IBM's Telecom Solutions
Lab in Austin, Texas.

Openet technology is optimized for IBM BladeCenter servers, supported by
IBM solidDB Universal Cache in-memory database software and integrated with
IBM analytics software.

IBM works with the top 1,000 communications service providers worldwide,
including all 20 of the largest global providers.

About Openet

Openet is an innovative provider of Subscriber Optimization Software
(SOS) to tier one communications and media service providers. To succeed,
today's operators must know their subscribers, deploy innovative business
models and control the allocation of network resources. Openet's offerings
are engineered to attract subscribers and provide an optimal experience,
minimize the cost to serve them and maximize revenue-making the most of every
subscriber. With customers across the globe, Openet is meeting the needs of
operators worldwide such as Vodafone, Orange, AT&T and Verizon. For more
information, please visit www.openet.com.

Visit IBM at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, February 14-17,
2011: Hall 1 Stand 1C31.

About IBM

For more information on IBM's communications industry solutions, visit
www.ibm.com/telecom.

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    Media contact:
    Holli Haswell
    IBM
    hhaswell@us.ibm.com
    +1-720-396-5485

Holli Haswell, IBM, hhaswell at us.ibm.com, +1-720-396-5485