World's first nationwide cross-network MMS initiative

 

Singapore, 28 November 2002 - The three Singapore mobile operators, M1, SingTel and StarHub jointly announced today the launch of inter-operator Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) for their customers. The initiative marks a world's first in achieving nation-wide MMS interoperability.

 

The service will enable subscribers of the three operators to exchange multimedia messages across their mobile networks. With inter-operator MMS, the multimedia messages will be received directly on a customer's MMS-enabled handsets. Previously, a customer with MMS-enabled handsets could only retrieve cross-network MMS via the respective operator's website.

 

Customers who do not use MMS phones will still be notified via SMS to retrieve any MMS messages sent to them at their mobile operator's website.

 

Inter-operator MMS is available with immediate effect. To encourage the use of inter-operator MMS, subscribers of the three mobile operators will enjoy free MMS service initially.

 

Mr Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer of M1, said: "The three operators have been working towards implementing inter-operator MMS in the shortest possible time for the benefit of mobile phone users and I am very pleased that we have now achieved it within the desired time frame. Significantly, we also have, in the process, made available the world's first nationwide inter-operator MMS. This development plus the current on-going consumer educational campaign on MMS mounted jointly by the three operators should greatly help boost awareness and usage of MMS among mobile phone users in Singapore."

 

Mr Lucas Chow, Chief Executive Officer of SingTel Mobile, said: "SingTel Mobile has always believed in not just growing our business but the industry as a whole. We had initiated the push for the three operators to be the first in the world to achieve inter-operator MMS nationwide and we are pleased with the outcome. This is an example of how co-operation, and not necessarily competition, among the operators will benefit all mobile phone users. Inter-operator MMS is an important step to drive take-up and usage of the service. MMS offers an enhanced messaging experience for our customers and now there is the added convenience of being able to send MMS to their friends on different networks."

 

"StarHub is pleased to play a key role in this nationwide cross-networks initiative. It demonstrates the operators' leadership and ability in 'co-opetition', and puts Singapore in the forefront of mobile messaging," said Mr Chan Kin Hung, Vice President, StarHub Mobile. "Our unwavering MMS strategy has always been to ensure that our customers are able to enjoy a seamless and extensive messaging experience. Initially, we offered MMS roaming, then global MMS, and now, local MMS interoperability. Our customers will truly have the complete MMS experience. They can send and receive MMS anytime, anywhere, locally or overseas!"

 

M1 customers can visit www.m1.com.sg or call the M1 hot-line 1627 for more information. SingTel customers can go to www.e-ideas.com.sg or call 1800-4343327 (1800-4-EIDEAS) for more information. For StarHub customers, they can go to www.starhub.com or call 1633 for more details.