18 April 2007

2ergo, the AIM listed provider of convergent mobile communication solutions, has announced today that Multimap, one of the world’s leading providers of online mapping and location-based services, has become the first company to deploy its Payforit service, the new mobile payment scheme being introduced by all UK network operators.

As an Accredited Payment Intermediary and the first company to gain full network connectivity for its Payforit service, 2ergo now enables Multimap customers to have content and service downloads charged to their mobile phones in a safe and transparent environment, regardless of their mobile operator.

Developed through a strategic UK cross-mobile network operator initiative, the Payforit service significantly improves the consumer experience for one-time and subscription services purchased via the mobile internet, by introducing a secure and unified approach to mobile purchases.

Barry Sharples, Joint CEO of 2ergo comments: “We are very pleased to have the first customer go live with Payforit across all UK mobile networks. It will be of great benefit to both consumers and the mobile industry alike.

“Payforit will provide a standard mobile payment mechanism for any content or service that consumers wish to buy using their phone, no matter what they’re buying or who they are buying from, which will greatly increase consumer confidence,” he added. “For mobile internet providers, the payment service offers enhanced brand loyalty, increased customer retention and revenue growth by providing a more seamless and interactive service to mobile portal visitors.”

Sean Phelan, Founder of Multimap, commented: “The availability of reliable and robust mobile services, powered by Multimap, is being embraced by both the business community and public at large. The market is, at last, ready to exploit this channel; businesses can improve the way they interact with consumers, extend the reach of marketing campaigns, and improve lead conversion as a result. Thanks to our partnership with 2ergo, we can now offer our customers a standardised and branded payment method that they recognise and trust. This is undoubtedly an essential step in the successful implementation of our mobile strategy.”

Commenting on the announcement, Iain McCallum, Head of Interactive Messaging Products at O2 UK said, “I am delighted that 2ergo and Multimap are driving Payforit into the mainstream content space with this product offering. The Payforit initiative has taken two years to bring to market after in-depth discussions with, and direct input from, the premium content industry. It represents a great move forward for our customers.”

About Multimap

Multimap is one of the world’s leading providers of mapping and location-based services. The company delivers more online maps, point-to-point driving directions and geo-spatial ("where's my nearest?") searches to more companies than any other supplier in Europe. All services are offered on mobile, PDA, kiosk, and interactive TV platforms. We also offer a highly-functional API (Application Programming Interface).

The public website, www.multimap.com, provides a range of free, useful services to assist with everyday life. Key features include street-level maps of Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia; road maps of the world; door-to-door travel directions; aerial photographs; links to location information; and services such as hotel, restaurant and entertainment booking. The public site attracts over 10 million unique users, registers more than 190 million page impressions every month, and is one of the top 10 most visited websites in the UK.

Multimap recently featured in The Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league table of fastest-growing unquoted UK companies across all sectors. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Multimap The Queen's Award for Enterprise in the innovation category, and Multimap was one of only three companies to feature in the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 league of fastest-growing unquoted UK technology companies for the fourth year running. Also in 2006, the company featured in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for the UK and Ireland, and the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for EMEA. Multimap also featured in the Deloitte Touche's Technology Fast 50 league for London and Southern England in 2005 and, in the same year, Red Herring named Multimap as one of the Top 100 private companies in Europe.

About 2ergo

2ergo is a leading provider of interactive and multi-channel communications solutions using mobile technologies, fixed-line telecommunications and the internet. Powered by the Group’s Multiserve Platform, 2ergo delivers solutions and services to many sectors of industry, with clients that range from SMEs to multi-national enterprises, to public sector organisations. The Group’s expertise enables organisations to advance their use of technology, to switch on new revenues, optimise business processes and open up new marketing channels.

Headquartered in Lancashire, United Kingdom, the Group is listed on AIM, a market of the London stock exchange (AIM: RGO).