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Wireless application service provider Aether Systems Inc. on Tuesday announced a deal with AOL Time Warner Inc. to develop wireless services for small and medium businesses.
Under the terms of the agreement, Aether will incorporate AOLs e-mail, instant messaging and other content into Aethers wireless services, said officials at Aether in Owings Mills, Md.
AOL will use Aethers Fusion technology to extend AOL services to myriad wireless platforms and devices.
AOL also has invested a minority stake in Aether. Company officials would not disclose the financial terms of the deal.
As a result of the AOL deal, Aether will form a new division focused solely on small and medium businesses. The company already supports large enterprises, transportation logistics, and mobile government.
“Weve been doing some stuff with real estate agents and in the automotive space, but now its a real focus for us,” said Evan Deoul, corporate vice president of the new small and medium enterprise division of Aether.
Deoul acknowledged that, because of its consumer focus, AOL is not a popular platform among many business customers. But AOL is widely used by Aethers existing real estate and healthcare customers, he said.