U.S. Cellular and Asurion Mobile Applications Partner to Provide Next-Generation Mobile Contact Backup and Contact Sharing

Sep 09, 2009 07:15 ET

U.S. Cellular and Asurion Mobile Applications Partner to Provide Next-Generation Mobile Contact Backup and Contact Sharing to U.S. Cellular Smartphone Customers

Free Solution Safeguards Contact Information, Enables Sharing of Group Contacts

CHICAGO, IL and SAN MATEO, CA--(Marketwire - September 9, 2009) - U.S. Cellular, the nation's fifth largest wireless carrier and Asurion Mobile Applications, the leading provider of people-centric mobile applications, today announced the availability of My Contacts Backup for smartphones. My Contacts Backup has been protecting the valuable contact information of U.S. Cellular customers for more than two years and is offered on more than 75 different phones. U.S. Cellular and Asurion Mobile Applications have also announced a new My Contacts Backup feature that allows users to create and share groups of contacts with other U.S. Cellular customers making U.S. Cellular the first in the industry to have this feature.

"With free My Contacts Backup our customers have peace of mind knowing their contacts are automatically backed up and protected. The expansion of My Contacts Backup onto smartphones means more of our customers can take advantage of this great application," said Alan D. Ferber, chief marketing officer at U.S. Cellular.

U.S. Cellular customers have the ability to group friends, colleagues and family members into contact lists, which can be easily shared with others. Whenever a list is updated, changes are then pushed out to all who share that list, allowing everyone up-to-date contact information. The application is built on Asurion Mobile Applications' next-generation Mobile Solutions Platform (MSP 2.0), which provides customers with the power to easily share the user-generated content stored on their mobile phones with other U.S. Cellular customers.

"Asurion Mobile Applications is committed to strengthening the connections between people and unlocking what users can do with backup technology," said Steve Pretre, general manager for Asurion Mobile Applications. "With My Contacts Backup, a parent can create the family address book and share it with their family members so everyone always has the most updated contact information on their phones. Or, a small business owner might share an employee and customer directory with a select group and every update made to that list is automatically shared. It's all about connecting users with the information they need and improving relationships."

With My Contacts Backup you never need to plug in your phone to your computer, all functions occur wirelessly. If a customer replaces a lost phone, the free My Contacts Backup application automatically restores the contact list to the new phone. The backup can occur daily to keep information as updated as possible. In addition, www.uscellular.com/mycontactsbackup [1] allows you to view, manage, edit, and print your contacts from your computer. Customers may also import Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express and Yahoo! Contacts and can also protect their privacy if their handset is lost or stolen by erasing their contacts online from their phone.

To learn more about My Contacts Backup visit www.uscellular.com/mycontactsbackup [1].

About U.S. Cellular

The 9,000 associates of U.S. Cellular believe a wireless phone enhances people's lives and a wireless company should be in the business of bringing people together. U.S. Cellular has a wide range of monthly plans, including those with unlimited nationwide calling, unlimited free incoming calls and options to prepay. The company has a growing catalog of phones like the BlackBerry® Pearl and Curve, and the touch-screen Samsung Delve, which offer e-mail and Web access. Based in Chicago, U.S. Cellular is the nation's fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier, serving 6.2 million customers across the country. To learn more about the company visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com.

About Asurion

Asurion is the leading provider of enhanced services to the wireless industry. Asurion's success is built on a foundation of shared values with clients -- quality service, relationships, integrity, and financial strength. Offerings include Roadside Assistance Services, Handset Insurance Services, Warranty Management and Equipment Maintenance Services, Debt Protection, and Mobile Applications. Asurion serves millions of customers through its relationships with leading wireless carriers in North America and Asia. For additional information about Asurion, visit www.asurion.com [2].

About Asurion Mobile Applications

Asurion Mobile Applications (AMA) is the leading provider of people-centric mobile applications that connect users with the information they need, driving deeper relationships. AMA technologies are specifically designed for consumers that want smart, convenient and user-friendly mobile communications. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in San Mateo, CA, AMA is a privately held and wholly owned business unit of Asurion, Inc., the global leader in technology protection services. Millions of "on the go" users have experienced AMA's next-generation technologies through carrier-branded solutions and direct to consumer sales, strengthening their connections to the people and information that matters most. For additional information about AMA, visit www.asurionmobile.com [3].

PR Contacts:
Dave Struzzi
Kulesa Faul for Asurion Mobile Applications
212.228.7972
dave@kulesafaul.com [4]

Jonathan Guerin
Communications Manager for U.S. Cellular®
773.399.4379
jonathan.guerin@uscellular.com [5]