SingTel Mobile and CMG Launch Singapore's Multimedia Messaging Service; Mobile Users Will be Able to Send Content-Rich Messages Via Mobile Handsets

Business Wire, Sept 9, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

ADDISON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2002

CMG Wireless Data Solutions, the global leader in mobile messaging solutions, announced today that SingTel Mobile has launched its Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) using CMG's Multimedia Messaging Solution. The new service is offered as of September 7, 2002. CMG was selected over its competitors for this service launch.

MMS enables mobile users to send content-rich messages with photos, audio clips and video clips attached. In a relatively new and undefined market, CMG has gained valuable experience working with leading telecommunication operators to successfully implement commercial MMS services around the world, including Hutchison 3G (Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Sweden and the UK), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Telia (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Telenor (Norway), TMN and Optimus (both in Portugal).

CMG will deliver a full suite of multimedia messaging software services to SingTel. The system includes deployment of CMG's Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC), which is the central store-and-forward facility that will accept, buffer, process and distribute all multimedia messages in SingTel Mobile's network. Built on open standards, CMG's MMSC is easily integrated with existing applications and hardware on SingTel's infrastructure, allowing the operator to go to market in a short timeframe. Its architecture will allow SingTel to scale the system to meet the capacity, performance, reliability and budgetary requirements appropriate for each phase of the market life cycle, while it guarantees quality of service even at peak performance.

Since September 7, SingTel's subscribers with MMS-compatible mobile handsets are able to send multimedia messages at the touch of a button, much like how SMS works. Recipients who do not have MMS-compatible mobile handsets receive their multimedia messages through the legacy support application on SingTel's website. In addition, SingTel will be creating a photo library on its Web site, where subscribers can compose MMS messages and send them to designated mobile phone numbers.

According to industry analyst Ovum, annual consumer revenues for multimedia messaging are expected to reach US$70 billion worldwide by 2007. Around US$31 billion will come from person-to-person messaging, while US$39 billion will come from machine-to-person messaging.

Andrew Buay, SingTel's vice president of consumer marketing, says, "SMS has taken the world by storm and we believe MMS, with its enhanced features, will enjoy similar success. As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words. With the integration of the digital camera and the mobile phone, we expect to see high MMS usage from the forwarding of photo images. Self-generated content as well as content download, such as that of animated files and video clips in the near future, will also trigger a user's desire to forward it to friends, thus creating a multiplier effect."

"Through CMG's dominant position in the SMS market we understand the prerequisites for commercial success in mobile messaging. This unique expertise has enabled us to extend our leadership into the MMS market, and we are pleased to partner with the No. 1 mobile phone operator in Singapore to shape the next generation of mobile services," said Boudewijn Pesch, managing director Asia Pacific of CMG Wireless Data Solutions. "The wide acceptance and usage of SMS has become so pervasive in Singaporeans' lives, we are confident that MMS will bring greater value to mobile users, as well as a steady revenue stream for operators."

About SingTel Mobile

SingTel Mobile, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SingTel, leads the Singapore market with over 1.5 million customers, who enjoy an automatic dualband GSM900 and GSM1800 service as well as excellent indoor and outdoor coverage supported by over 1,900 base stations. SingTel Mobile offers e-ideas, a suite of leading-edge wireless e-services that includes taxi reservation and access to email and contacts while on the move. Wireless access to e-ideas and the Internet can be made using SingTel Mobile's WAP, HSCSD and GPRS services. Always at the forefront of technology and all things innovative and exciting, SingTel Mobile launched the world's first Local Direct Dial service, which allows its customers to call roamers on its network without incurring international call charges. It also introduced Singapore's first location-based services which allow customers to receive vicinity-specific information such as the location of nearby supermarkets or cinemas, using SingTel Mobile's *SEND service. A 3G licence was awarded to SingTel Mobile in April 2001. Besides its Singapore operations, SingTel Mobile also works closely with its regional mobile associates - Australia's Optus, India's Bharti, Indonesia's Telkomsel, Philippines' Globe and Thailand's AIS.

About CMG

CMG plc is a global Information and Communications Technology group with leading positions in the provision of Mobile Business, Advanced Security, Business Process Outsourcing and Advanced Payroll solutions. We are at the core of our customers' critical activities, combining industry knowledge, technical expertise and practical innovation. CMG is proud of its open culture where communication, co-operation and fairness are seen as the basis for mutually rewarding relationships. This unique ethos is complemented by a commitment to delivering excellence and a full service offering ranging from management consultancy, systems development and integration to the outsourced management of targeted business processes. A complementary and equally critical strength of CMG is its global leadership in wireless messaging and mobile Internet built on the delivery of high performance, high reliability short message service centers (SMSC) to mobile operators.