Poweralert Service Enables California OES Announcement Delivery to Wireless Devices and E-Mail Addresses

Greenwich, CT. and Alexandria, VA. (June 26, 2001) Ð The California Office of Emergency Services (OES) has designated Metrocall, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MCLLQ) and Iris Wireless as providers of a free text messaging service called "Poweralert." This service will notify California residents via any text-enabled pager, cell phone or PDA and e-mail address regardless of make, model, ISP or wireless carrier before rolling blackouts occur in their area. Iris Wireless--a company that has developed the first U.S. cross-platform, short text messaging capabilities--and Metrocall--one of the country's largest providers of wireless data and messaging services-- have teamed up to create the Poweralert service.

When California residents sign up by visiting www.irispoweralert.com, or by calling Metrocall at (800) 354-7243, they will receive OES announcements about rolling blackouts whether they are on-the-go with their mobile devices or at their computers. This cross-platform technology, designed to reach anyone on any mobile device, would not have been available had the power crisis emerged last summer, or even six months ago.

"Iris Wireless has the best technology to keep Californians informed about rolling blackouts regardless of their current mobile device or carrier," said Iris Wireless Chairman and CEO, Peter Rinfret. "We are delighted to introduce our technology and service at no charge to Californians during a time when wireless and Internet text messaging is especially relevant and critical." "The power situation in California has created demand for real-time notification that can be delivered remotely," said William L. Collins III, Metrocall's chairman and CEO. "Metrocall's wireless networking capabilities and IrisÕ message delivery platform are well-positioned to deliver crucial information to residents throughout the state of California. Poweralert will empower residents to go about their usual business with peace of mind, knowing that they will be informed of imminent blackouts."

People who sign up for Poweralert will receive power announcements free through Labor Day. In addition to rolling blackout notification, subscribers will get periodic news updates on the power crisis in California and will have access to the full range of irisme SMS capabilities--enabling them to send short text messages to other users regardless of communication devices and service carriers (pager to cellular phone, PDA to e-mail address, etc.). After Labor Day, users will have the option of signing up for the Poweralert service along with the full range of irisme SMS capabilities, or just the irisme SMS service. Current Metrocall word messaging subscribers can receive Poweralert -or- new customers can obtain a specially packaged NEC VUE word pager complete with wireless service and Poweralert, by visiting the California OES Web site at http://www.edis.ca.gov/ and picking Metrocall or calling (800) 354-7243. About Iris Wireless, LLC.

Iris Wireless, LLC (www.irisme.com), headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut is a pioneer provider of a short messaging service (SMS) that enables existing mobile communications devices (pagers, cellular phones, PDAs and e-mail addresses) to receive and send short text messages to any other communications device. The ÒIrismeÓ service crosses all platforms and service providers to allow for the secure, instantaneous and reliable exchange of text messages from different devices, using different carriers at any time in any place. The Iris technology platform is built on Hewlett-PackardÕs Òalways onÓ architecture. About Metrocall, Inc.

Metrocall, Inc., headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is one of the largest wireless data and messaging companies in the United States, providing both products and services to more than six million business and individual subscribers. Metrocall was founded in 1965 and currently employs more than 3,000 individuals nationwide. The Company currently offers two-way interactive messaging, wireless e-mail and Internet connectivity, cellular and digital PCS phones, as well as one-way messaging services. Metrocall operates on many nationwide, regional and local networks, including a Two-Way Interactive Network (TWIN), and can supply a wide variety of customizable Internet-based information content services. Also, Metrocall offers totally integrated resource management systems and communications solutions for business and campus environments. Metrocall's wireless networks operate in the top 1,000 markets all across the nation and the Company has offices and retail locations in more than forty states. Metrocall is the largest equity-owner of Inciscent, an independent business-to-business enterprise, that is a national full-service Òwired-to-wireless'' Application Service Provider (ASP). For more information on Metrocall please visit our Web site and On-line store at www.Metrocall.com or call 800-800-2337.

Iris Wireless Media Contact:
Sara Gelenberg Porter Novelli
(310) 444-7046
sgelenberg@porternovelli.com