SOCKET SHIPS FIRST DIGITAL PHONE CARDS TO BELL MOBILITY.

Socket Communications Inc. (OTC: Bulletin Board SCKT and SCKTW; Pacific Stock Exchange SOK), Newark, Calif., has announced the first shipments of the Digital Phone Card Data Connection Kit to Bell Mobility, Canada's leading wireless company.

The Digital Phone Card is an energy-efficient plug-in card that makes it easy to attach a digital data-capable cellular phone to any Microsoft Windows CE operating system-based mobile computer or Windows-based notebook. Mobile professionals within the coverage area of Bell Mobility's digital cellular network can use the Digital Phone Card to send and receive e-mail, connect to the Internet or access their corporate network -- all wirelessly. The Digital Phone Card is available in Canada from Bell Mobility dealers and Bell World stores. A premium priced version with a ruggedized cable is available from Socket Communications resellers.

The Digital Phone Card, which will also be a key component of Microsoft's recently announced Wireless Communications Kit for Windows CE-based Palm-size PCs, offers significant advantages over other connectivity options. The card's CompactFlash Type I form factor allows users to insert it into the CompactFlash slot of any Windows CE-based Palm-size PC. A CompactFlash-to-PC Card adapter included with the kit allows the card to be plugged into the PC Card slot of any Windows CE-based Handheld PC or Windows-based notebook.

In addition to freeing up a mobile computer's internal serial port, Socket's universal card-based interface eliminates compatibility problems resulting from the variety of external serial port connectors built into Windows CE-based computers. Conventional connection kits for Windows CE-based devices require two cables, making them inconvenient for mobile professionals to set up and carry. Another important benefit is that Socket's Battery Friendly(TM) plug-in card conserves power, allowing users to operate their digital phones up to twice as long as with other cabling schemes.

"Socket and Bell Mobility have put together an attractive package that advances the state of the art for wireless connectivity," said Jonathan Roberts, general manager of the Productivity Appliance Division at Microsoft Corp. "By making it easier than ever for users of Windows CE-based Palm-size PCs to read their e-mail, browse the Internet and synchronize their PIM information wirelessly, the Digital Phone Card Connection Kit takes another step toward realizing the ideal of any time, anywhere computing."

"Socket's Digital Phone Card is an elegant solution for connecting digital PCS phones to Windows CE-based computers," said Norm Silins, Director of Data Services and E-Commerce for Bell Mobility. "The card offers universal compatibility, a clean and simple design, plus energy efficiency. These are all vital features for mobile users."

"Shipping the first Digital Phone Card is a milestone in Socket's initiative to become a leader in delivering wireless connectivity solutions for Windows CE-based computers," said Peter Phillips, director of product marketing Socket. "We're very excited to be working with Bell Mobility, and we believe that this strategic relationship will serve as a model for making the Digital Phone Card available on a worldwide basis."

The Digital Phone Card Data Connection Kit is currently available for use with Qualcomm QCP-2700/2700F digital PCS phones and includes a removable cable to connect the plug-in card to the phone. The suggested retail price of the kit is $159.95 Canadian (about $109 US). Also available from Socket is a ruggedized version of the kit, which includes a ruggedized cable permanently attached to the plug-in card and has a suggested retail price of $189.95 Canadian (about $129 US).

The Bell Mobility family of companies provides a complete range of wireless communications solutions -- cellular, paging, data, satellite, PCS and airline passenger communications services -- to over 2 million Canadian customers. Bell Mobility Radio provides two-way voice and wireless data services to public safety and emergency services agencies. Bell Mobility companies are subsidiaries of BCE Mobile Communications Inc., a publicly-traded company (TSE, ME, NYSE; stock symbol BCX) which is 65% owned by Bell Canada. For more information on Bell Mobility, visit the Bell Mobility website at http://www.bellmobility.ca.

Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connection products for Windows CE-based computers and other devices. Socket's products include the Battery Friendly(TM) family of plug-in cards for enhancing Windows CE-based computers by adding networking, bar code scanning and printing, data communication, and wireless Internet connectivity. Socket's products utilize the company's low power chip technology, making them ideal for battery-operated mobile computers. Information about Socket's complete range of products is available on the company's web site at www.socketcom.com.

For more information, call 510/744-2767.

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