BAM and Comverge Technologies Announce Alliance for Utility Industry

announced today the signing of a joint marketing agreement to address the data needs of the rapidly deregulating electric, gas, and water industries. Using Bell Atlantic Mobile's AirBridge® Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network, Comverge Technologies hardware and software solutions offers utility companies automated meter reading, home automation, environmental monitoring, energy management, and distributed generation monitoring services.

Frank Magnotti, President of Comverge Technologies states, "I'm truly excited to expand our relationship with Bell Atlantic Mobile. Bell Atlantic Mobile's coverage in the major population centers throughout the Northeast make them a great partner for us and energy service and distributed generation companies.

Bob Hirsh, Director of Wireless Data Distribution for Bell Atlantic Mobile states, "Meter reading and energy management are perfect applications for our AirBridge® CDPD service. Comverge Technologies has successfully demonstrated these applications on our network. Comverge's hardware and software, combined with our CDPD service, provide a cost effective way to offer these kinds of services to customers."

Magnotti added, "I'm impressed with the capabilities of the CDPD network. Their intelligent network has made system integration quick. We can rely on Bell Atlantic Mobile to continue to upgrade its capabilities. We would not have found this with private proprietary networks."

Bell Atlantic Mobile is the largest wireless service provider on the East Coast and the second largest in the United States. The company owns and operates the most extensive network in the East, covering 111,000 square miles, and the largest chain of wireless retail outlets offering a full range of wireless personal communications services, including voice, data and paging. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has more than 5 million customers and 7,000 employees in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and - through a separate subsidiary - the Southwest. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community relations program, which includes HopeLine( voice mail service, Bell Atlantic Mobile uses its wireless technology to help individuals and communities improve security and emergency communications.

Comverge Technologies, a global subsidiary created by Data Systems and Software Inc.(NASDAQ/NMM:DSSI) is a provider of end-to-end, two-way communication solutions for energy related data, home automation, environmental monitoring and distributed generation monitoring. Their open architecture solutions work with a variety of wide area networks including CDPD, cable tv, telephone, and Personal Communication Services (PCS).They have deployed systems in the U.S., Venezuela, Argentina, Israel, and Mexico. U.S. operations are headquartered in Whippany, N.J. International operations are located in Israel.

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