attheraces plc saddles Requestec up to provide mobile racing service


London, United Kingdom - August 2003 - Requestec Ltd today announces that attheraces plc, the horseracing media rights company, owned equally by Channel 4 TV, BskyB and Arena Leisure, have launched an attheraces branded, SMS racing information service, provided for by Requestec and available on Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile and Orange mobile phone networks (instructions for use).

Requestec's high speed messaging software interprets simple, plain English requests and handles various requests all sent in on the same attheraces shortcode - 88418. The initial service allows users to request tips and results to be sent directly to their mobile phone as soon as they become known, or immediately if the information is already available. Following shortly is a full text betting service available to attheraces registered users that is both secure and easy to use, providing a discrete alternative to the current options available for the placing of a bet. For the first time it will provide punters with written confirmation of their bet wherever they happen to be.


Ben Weekes, Technical Director of Requestec Ltd, said:   "Our agreement with attheraces is reflective of the type of service currently being sought by many content-rich companies wishing to offer their information to a wider audience, regardless of where that audience may happen to be. Reverse-billed text messaging presents novel revenue streams to companies wishing to capitalise on a market that is increasingly on the move and that is hungry for news as soon as it happens - the possibilities are endless."

About Requestec

Requestec is a mobile messaging software and service provider, that specialises in developing distributed applications for mobile handsets. With expertise in real-time, authenticated, publish/subscribe wireless services, Requestec recognises the need for robust solutions that are quick to market and that provide a high-quality end-user experience.

Wholly owned by its founders, Requestec was founded in 2002 and has its headquarters in London.

About attheraces plc

attheraces is a horseracing media rights company, owned equally by Channel 4 TV, BSkyB and Arena Leisure, providing live UK racing 14 hours a day on interactive digital TV on Sky channel 418, ntl channel 908 and Telewest channel 534, online live racing and betting on www.attheraces.co.uk and telephone betting on 0800 0838383.

attheraces acquired the media rights to races from 49 of the 59 racecourses in the UK for an initial period of 5 years from 1 July 2001 with renewal provisions for a further 5 years in return for a minimum of £307 million over the 10 year term plus a further £80 million in marketing spend. The acquisition agreement also secures the continued terrestrial television coverage of British horseracing on Channel 4 and the BBC for the full 10 year term.

Press/Analyst contact:

attheraces plc
Tom Earl
Tel: +44 20 7291 1670

- Privacy
Copyright © Requestec 2003