Aether To Develop Wireless Bill-Payment Services

Aether Systems Inc. a wireless data services and systems provider, today unveiled plans to develop bill-payment applications for handheld wireless devices. The first services will be developed through a partnership with CyberBills, a company that provides consumers and small businesses with online bill payment services.

Aether's efforts are being coordinated through its newly formed electronic-payments division, which will focus on building partnerships such as the one CyberBills to develop applications for a variety of wireless devices, including Palm organizers, two-way pagers, and cell phones. Future plans call for the integration of Aether's stock-trading applications with the electronic-payment capabilities to enable users to move funds between accounts.

Under the agreement, Aether will use its Intelligent Messaging technology to extend CyberBills' Total Bill Management service to a variety of wireless devices. Aether's network operations and customer-support center will support the new service.