Microsoft Collaborates With SingTel to Accelerate the Services-Driven Era for the Telecommunications Industry
Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto/Microsoft)
REDMOND, WA UNITED STATES
Partner-based approach helps unlock industry opportunities to deliver outstanding mobile experiences for businesses and consumers.
MACAU, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today
demonstrated how its partner-ecosystem approach is helping mobile operators,
developers and device-makers optimize innovations, accelerate their
go-to-market strategies, and deliver customized services for both businesses
and consumers.
"As the telecommunications industry continues to converge with the
Internet, Microsoft has seen increasing interest from our partners to create
services that can be customized and monetized," said Sandi Thomas, general
manager for Asia Pacific within the Communications Sector at Microsoft. "In
this digital age of communications, Microsoft is one of the few companies that
can help service providers bring new services to market, across a range of
screens and devices."
Driving Change Through Innovation
Within three months, V3 Teletech Pte Ltd and Formotus Inc. -- winners of
the SingTel-sponsored Mobile Connected Services Accelerator project under
Microsoft's Connected Services Accelerator Program -- were able to design and
incubate innovative mobile location-based services applications for the
logistics and transportation sectors. These solutions will be showcased within
the GSM Association's (GSMA) mobile Innovation Zone at the Mobile Asia
Congress in Macau.
V3 Teletech is also one of the three finalists in the GSMA's Mobile
Innovation Global Award, under the Most Innovative Mobile Application in a
Vertical Market category.
Both independent software vendors were given technical and commercial
guidance as well as access to SingTel's state-of-the-art infrastructure and
resources for development and testing purposes.
"On one hand, we are seeing increasing user demands for always-on
information while on the go, to extend their connectivity beyond the desktop,"
Thomas said. "On the other hand, service operators are looking for
opportunities to deliver richer customer experiences via smart devices and
compelling services that enhance revenue opportunities. Microsoft's unique
vision helps build large-scale growth in mobility and opens opportunities for
the entire industry."
Microsoft launched its Connected Services Accelerator Program in June
2008. The program encompasses a series of global projects that seek to
incubate, and ultimately commercialize, new types of consumer, business and
mobile services supported by Windows Mobile smartphones and Windows Vista-
enabled mobile broadband PCs.
Bill Chang, executive vice president of Business at SingTel, said, "Today,
it is vital for businesses to innovate constantly and create more value for
their customers. SingTel recognizes that collaboration is crucial in
accelerating innovations in the industry. As Asia's largest multimarket mobile
operator, we serve more than 216 million mobile customers in eight markets.
Through SingTel's Mobile Connected Services Accelerator program, our partners
will benefit from our experience, expertise and customer insights. This will
enable them to develop innovative applications and solutions that help
customers to be more productivity, lower costs and accelerate time to market."
SingTel will also be able to develop and deliver customized services that
can help build new revenue streams, reduce churn and attract new customers.
"Microsoft believes in the power of software plus services and its ability
to help the telecoms industry deliver more innovative, customizable and robust
services to customers in a timely manner," Thomas said. "By working with
service providers like SingTel, Microsoft is enabling service providers to
define new business models and take advantage of new market opportunities."
About SingTel
SingTel is Asia's leading communications group providing a portfolio of
services including voice and data over fixed, wireless, Internet and satellite
platforms as well as pay TV. It has a network of 37 offices in 19 countries
and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States.
Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia's largest multi-market
mobile operator, serving more than 216 million mobile customers in eight
markets.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
