Three and Macheen partner to enable the connected device market

6th December, 2011:

Three UK has signed an agreement with Macheen Inc., a global cloud service provider for connected devices. The Macheen platform is now available, with individual device manufacturers pending but yet to be announced.

The Three – Macheen agreement extends Macheen’s comprehensive turn-key platform to include the UK’s fastest growing 3G network *. Macheen is the white label connectivity provider and enabler for some of the world’s largest device manufacturers, enabling them to embed 3G connectivity at point of device manufacture under their own brand and control.

“Device makers are looking to turn lower-margin hardware into constant customer connections—without the heavy lifting,” said Richard Schwartz, President and CEO of Macheen, Inc.

“That transition begins with simple, seamless connections to the cloud, followed by on-going offers of new content and services. We are seeing a significant improvement in both the purchase and connection rates for device makers who build in connectivity into their devices.”

Macheen enables 3G connectivity for device manufacturers that produce anything from laptops, tablets, and satnavs, to gaming devices and other portable consumer electronic devices. End customers will benefit from seamless ‘out of the box’ device connectivity and manufacturer value-added-service delivered over the UK’s fastest growing 3G Network.

Commenting on the deal, Lynda Burton, Director of Wholesale at Three, said: “The combined package of the UK’s fastest growing 3G Network with Macheen’s proven platform is a very exciting prospect that will be a major catalyst for the embedded 3G market.

“This further cements Three’s role in the UK’s ever expanding wholesale marketplace, and why we are increasingly the network of choice for partnerships.”

Ends

* Ofcom Market Report 2011

About Three UK

Three is a communications company focused on bringing the benefits of the internet to mobile communications. We offer attractive pricing and give our customers the widest choice of ways to stay connected. To do this we’ve built an award-winning high-speed mobile broadband network. Three UK is a member of the HWL group of companies, which include 3G operations in Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Macau and Sweden.

About Macheen

Macheen Inc. enables connected device makers and retailers to deliver products that are ”hot-out-of-the-box”—shipped pre-connected to the Internet via mobile networks—with private label services under their control. Macheen’s multi-tenant, cloud-based platform supports new business models for device makers, retailers, cloud service providers, content partners, and network operators alike. Macheen delivers breakthrough value by significantly increasing adoption rates and market penetration of connected devices and cloud services. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Macheen is a global corporation with services active in multiple continents and with wholly owned subsidiaries in Germany (Macheen GmbH), and the UK (Macheen Limited).

Visit www.macheen.com and join the conversation on our blog about “always-on, connected devices” and other industry issues and opportunities.

Three facts about Three:

• • Three launched the UK’s first 3G high-speed mobile network offering national coverage for calls and texts, and has more than 97.5% population coverage for mobile internet services.
  • Three is the fastest growing network in the UK.
  • Three is rated the Number 1 network for Smartphones in the most recent YouGov Smartphone Survey, took first place in 5 out of 10 categories in the most recent YouGov 3G Tablet Survey, and took top spot for 6 out of the 7 data categories in the most recent YouGov iPhone suvrey. Three is also came first in the most recent uSwitch Best Network awards. For more info visit www.three.co.uk/awards

For more information about Three UK, please visit www.three.co.uk or call the Three Media Office on 0845 6038333.