News

Marconi signs up new U.S. distribution channel for Web phones, kiosks

January 18, 2004

LONDON and SPARTA, N.J. -- Marconi Corporation plc has signed a distribution agreement with Instruments & Equipment Company (I&E) that creates a new marketing channel throughout North America for Marconi's award-winning Neptune range of Web phones and interactive kiosks.

"Marconi has a strong offering in the interactive Web phone and kiosk market," said Joseph Trobert, president of I&E Company, in a news release. "As consumers realize the value, convenience and ease-of-use found in these kiosks, more widespread deployment throughout North America will likely follow."

The Neptune 800 Web phone is designed for installation in any location and is suitable for outdoor use. The Neptune 800 offers pay-per-use access to services such as Internet browsing, e-mail and short messaging service or text messaging, according to the release.

The terminal's screen is also a platform for advertising, for the provision of local information and e-commerce channels, as well as other revenue-generating applications.

The Neptune 1000 is a modular kiosk range that is suitable to indoor or semi-supervised locations, the release said. The Neptune 1000 has been successfully deployed in the government, retail, telecommunications, travel and transport and banking and finance sectors to date.

"This agreement with I&E is a significant step into the North American market for Marconi Interactive Systems," said Liam Brown, managing director of Marconi Interactive Systems, in the release. "Following the recent first sale of our platforms to a telephone company in New York, this agreement helps us raise our profile in North America further."