PRESS

EARTHPORT AND ZAMANO UNITE TO BRING M-COMMERCE TO UK MERCHANTS

UK merchants will now be able to set up and maintain a secure, reliable WAP site complete with a payment system with a minimum of fuss thanks to a joint venture announced today by EarthPort, the secure Internet payment provider and zamano, supplier of m-business solutions.

As part of the joint venture EarthPort will provide its fast, seamless, secure and economical payment system, which has been specifically designed for use on the Internet. The system allows B2B, B2C and C2C two-way transactions of any size in multiple currencies. This cutting edge technology teamed with zamano's ability to extend existing Internet sites to work through WAP devices means a new generation of retailers can be leveraged onto the mobile Internet. This in turn will afford the consumer far more choice when shopping or browsing over their mobile phone.

"This makes the hype a reality," said zamano Managing Director, Eoin Ó Ceallacháin, "the combination of zamano and EarthPort means companies can offer their customers the ability to register, shop, and transfer cash direct from their bank account from anywhere in the world using only their mobile phone. We have been very impressed by the EarthPort payment system and believe that it is particularly suited to the mobile Internet, with secure micro-payments a reality."

Under the terms of the agreement EarthPort and zamano have agreed to market and promote their combined product and services to existing clients. EarthPort will work together with zamano on a regular basis to interface Merchants' and Communities' WAP sites with the EarthPort payment system.

"We are very excited about this new partnership," said Henry O'Sullivan, EarthPort Chief Technical Officer, "EarthPort is constantly looking for new ways to improve its service to its clients and I believe that together EarthPort and zamano can rapidly implement a complete e-commerce and m-commerce strategy, including seamless secure payment, for merchants of both the old and new economies."

For further information please contact Nickie Durbin, Communications Manager, EarthPort;
Tel; 44 207 348 5200, Email; nickie.durbin@earthport.com

Darren Ó Rodaigh, Business Development Manager, zamano; Tel; 44 207 593 2401, Email; darren@zamano.com

Note to the Editor

EarthPort

EarthPort's secure Internet payment system offers advantages to users, merchants, operators and portals in both e-commerce and m-commerce. The system allows users to transact over the Internet direct from their bank account. It is a fast, secure, accessible and trusted payment system used in over 220 countries throughout the world in any currency.

The EarthPort system is simple and secure as users register their personal banking details only once and for free. All payment details are kept on EarthPort's secure server and not transmitted to the merchant. The only information the merchant receives is the shipping address for the goods to be sent and confirmation that payment has been received.

On registration a user is given their own personal server side wallet that is accessible from anywhere in the world. Users check statements and all post transaction simply by logging on to their account.