Jeff LaPorte Named to Technology Review's Prestigious TR35 List of Top Young Innovators
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TR35 for 2007 to be Honored at Technology Review's Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 23 -- EQO today announced that its Co-Founder and Chief Software Architect, Jeff LaPorte, has been recognized by Technology Review magazine as one of the world's top innovators under the age of 35 for his creation of technology that enables regular cell phone handsets to make cost efficient, internet-based mobile phone calls through the fusion of mobile data and voice networks. This technology is available today at eqo.com/. Selected from more than 300 nominees by a panel of expert judges and the editorial staff of Technology Review, the TR35 is an elite group of accomplished young innovators who exemplify the spirit of innovation in business, technology and the arts.
Jeff's innovation was spurred by his desire to challenge the "walled garden" approach of today's mobile networks in which users are prevented from choosing which services to enjoy on their mobile devices. As a Canadian, Jeff was particularly frustrated by Canadian carriers imposing hefty rates for calls between cities within Canada, so in combination with this announcement EQO also launched today the "EQO Frees Canada" promotion where Canadians receive a bonus 90 minutes of free calling when they get EQO.
Jeff conceived a new type of "overlay" mobile voice service that rides on top of existing mobile voice and data networks, and works with regular cell phone handsets. He co-founded EQO to develop and market the technology worldwide. The end result enables people to make free or near-free international calls straight from their cell phones and is currently available for download on several hundred handsets to users in 29 countries.
"The TR35 honors young innovators for accomplishments that are poised to have a dramatic impact on the world as we know it," said Jason Pontin, editor in chief and publisher of Technology Review magazine. "We celebrate their success and look forward to their continued advancement of technology in their respective fields."
Jeff LaPorte and the other TR35 winners for 2007 will be featured in the September issue of Technology Review magazine and honored at the Emerging Technologies Conference to be held at MIT September 25-27, 2007.
EQO CEO Bill Tam, explains, "Jeff is truly a pioneer in this field. He's one of the few individuals who really understands the intersection of web services, VoIP and mobile telecom. Jeff has done a remarkable job of ensuring that EQO is best-in-class from this perspective."
Additional information about past and present TR35 winners and judges is available at www.technologyreview.com/tr35/. For more information about Technology Review's 2007 Emerging Technologies Conference, please visit: http://www.technologyreview.com/events/tretc/index.aspx.
About EQO
EQO (pronounced "echo") is a FREE, easy to use application for your existing mobile phone that lets you call anywhere in the world for rates as low as 2.3 cents per minute. Plus, with EQO you get cheap text messages and free access to all your favourite instant messaging services like MSN, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber! EQO is remarkably simple to use and does not require a new contract, computer or calling card. It works just like your mobile's phonebook -- simply scroll through your contacts and click to call or send a message. EQO works with your existing phone plan (local minutes and a bit of data) to complete calls and messages at some of the lowest rates in the world. Even better, calls and texts to other EQO users are free! Visit us at http://eqo.com/
About Technology Review, Inc.
Technology Review, Inc., an independent media company owned by MIT, is the authority on the future of technology, identifying emerging technologies and analyzing their impact for leaders. Technology Review's media properties include Technology Review magazine, the oldest technology magazine in the world (founded in 1899); the daily news website TechnologyReview.com; and events such as the annual Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT.
Source: EQO Communications
CONTACT: Brent Cohler of EQO Communications, +1-310-650-8941, bcohler@eqo.com
Web site: http://eqo.com/
