Siemens Mobile Acceleration (SMAC), a leading international investor in the wireless sector, today announces its first investment in Finland. The software-company Oplayo offers audio- and video streaming for Java and Symbian phones that are available in the market today. The company secured a total of 4,4 Mio. Euros in venture funding from an investor-group that includes SMAC, Nokia Venture Partners, Zouk Ventures and Holtron.

Video- and audio streaming is not exclusive to the advent of the third generation of mobile telephony. The GPRS technology is sufficient to support the downloading of clips to the subscriber's phone (Java-compatible or Symbian handsets). The company enabling this service is called Oplayo - a Finnish start-up. Oplayo's core technology is based on MVQ-codec, which provides for very light decoding and allows streaming for low-end and mid-range mobile phones. Thus, the company clearly focuses on the mass-market. Oplayo requires the subscriber only to download a player-program onto the phone, making it very easy to receive a wide variety of clips such as news bulletins, comedy, movie excerpts, music clips or sport-highlights.

Oplayo is further securing its leadership position through its strong list of technical partners, which includes Microsoft, ARM, Texas Instruments, Intel and Symbian. Dietrich Ulmer, CEO of Siemens Mobile Acceleration, said: "Mobile video is considered to be a very attractive market. What is needed to develop this segment are innovative solutions with easy handling for the end-consumer. We expect a large demand for the low footprint- and cost efficient solution Oplayo is providing due to the exploding numbers of mainstream multimedia & JAVA-equipped phones."

Keith Cornell, Executive Chairman of Oplayo added: "Siemens is a leading player in both mobile handsets as well as mobile networks and services. We have already seen clear benefits of the relationship with Siemens and believe this investment will further accelerate the growth of Oplayo as the leading player in mobile video."

Oplayo develops leading edge streaming video and rich media technology. Oplayo's solutions support streaming of high quality video over 2.5G or 3G networks and are "light" enough to be decoded in mid-range mass market phones. The company's technology gives end-users an easy-to-use, "instant play" rich-media experience. Founded in 1999, Oplayo's corporate headquarters are in Helsinki, Finland, with offices in London and Munich. For more information please visit www.oplayo.com

Siemens Mobile Acceleration GmbH (SMAC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group of Siemens AG. Siemens Mobile Acceleration fosters early stage start-ups that focus on wireless applications and technologies for mobile communication by providing funding and strategic counsel. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Siemens Mobile Acceleration seeks investment opportunities in Europe, Asia and North America. For more information on SMAC please visit www.siemensmobileacceleration.com

The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile) is one of the world's leading full-line suppliers in the field of mobile communication, offering mobile phones, cordless phones, wireless modules and mobile infrastructure, as well as all radio and switching modules, consulting services and systems integration. The mobile communication arm of Siemens AG markets products and services in more than 120 countries, generating sales of € 10 billion with a workforce of some 26,900 people in fiscal 2003 (September 30). Siemens mobile is the world market leader in prepaid solutions and digital cordless phones. More: www.siemens-mobile.com/press