Sybase 365 Enables More Than Eight Million Maxis Mobile Subscribers to
Easily Access MSN Hotmail and the Next-Generation MSN Messenger Over SMS -
Anytime, Anywhere
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxis Communications
Berhad ("Maxis"), Malaysia's leading telecommunications company, today
announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sybase 365, the global
leader in mobile enterprise applications and messaging, to deliver MSN
Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, the next generation of MSN Hotmail, to
more than eight million Maxis mobile subscribers.
Maxis mobile subscribers around Malaysia can now easily access MSN
Hotmail, the world's number one free Web mail, and chat with their MSN
buddies on mobile devices anytime, anywhere using the top-ranked instant
messaging service, Windows Live Messenger.
All postpaid and prepaid Maxis customers can now log onto
http://www.msn.com.my/mobile to register their mobile phone numbers to
their corresponding MSN Hotmail accounts. This will enable them to receive
their Hotmail email via SMS on their mobile devices. They will also be able
to compose and send email directly to the sender's inbox via SMS.
The "Windows Live Messenger over SMS" service enables users to
communicate instantly with their Windows Live Messenger buddies via a
personal computer and any mobile device that supports SMS technology. When
users log onto Messenger via a personal computer, they can also keep in
touch with family and friends via their mobile phone simply by creating a
mobile MSN Messenger number for each buddy on their list.
"With subscribers becoming more tech-savvy and knowledgeable, telco
players have to offer new mobile content and relevant applications to
ensure they continue to appeal to consumers and they stay with their
respective prepaid and postpaid packages," said Rohit Dadwal, Director,
Platform, Mobile and OneCare, Asia Pacific, Microsoft Online Services
Business. "With Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, we are focused on
putting the consumer at the center of their digital world and ensuring they
have an integrated experience. For many people, the mobile is the PC and so
extending the availability of our services through this agreement with
Sybase 365 means no matter what device a consumer is using, they can
communicate with family and friends using the online services they know and
love."
According to Maxis' General Manager/Head of Product and Infotainment
Business, Mr. T. Kugan: "Mobility, flexibility, and connectivity are
central to our customers' lives today. The need to be more passionate about
our customers and their happiness is paramount towards achieving greater
customer satisfaction and retention. The launch of MSN Hotmail and
Messenger via SMS reinforces this commitment, and offers an effective way
for our customers to manage their personal email and communications while
away from the office or home."
"We are seeing great market traction in Asia, and this deal with Maxis
and Microsoft's online services group continues to solidify our foothold
here," said Matthew Talbot, Vice President for Asia, Sybase 365. "As ARPU
plateaus, operators need to develop innovative new revenue sources. The
rapidly- expanding mobile messaging space provides a consistent source of
revenue opportunities. With reach to more than 700 mobile operators
worldwide -- and having collaborated with more than 450 brands globally-we
see great potential to offer our market -- proven expertise in mobile
messaging services, while helping customers and partners quickly realize
mobile content revenue."
The MSN Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger over SMS services utilizes
Sybase 365's custom-made mobile platform -- developed based upon
Microsoft.NET technology -- to uniquely provide the ability to adapt to the
complex nature of the Asian mobile communications market, where the SMS
infrastructure requirements, billing arrangements, and other SMS features
vary from operator to operator.
Other countries in Asia in which Microsoft's Online Services Group and
Sybase 365 have launched the service are Australia, Hong Kong, India,
Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
About Maxis Group
The Maxis Group, headquartered in Malaysia with operations in India
through subsidiary, Aircel Limited ("Aircel"), and Indonesia through
subsidiary, PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler ("NTS"), provides services to 12.7
million customers in the region.
Maxis is Malaysia's top mobile and infotainment provider and the 6th
largest public listed company (based on 30th June 2006's market
capitalization). The company offers an exciting range of quality and
innovative services on its mobile and broadband infrastructure. Its
leadership position is founded on the bedrock of high quality network and
customer services, extensive coverage, superior distribution and innovative
services/ products. Its 2,700 strong workforce is highly committed to
service excellence and innovation.
Aircel, an aspiring pan-Indian player, is the mobile leader in the
southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and its capital, Chennai. NTS is
deploying its network in Jakarta and other key regions on the Jawa island,
and expects to launch its commercial mobile services soon. For more
information, please visit http://www.maxis.com.my/
About Windows Live Messenger
Faster than e-mail and easier than the phone, Windows Live Messenger,
the next generation of MSN Messenger, is a free, easy-to-use online
communication tool which allows people to communicate and express
themselves instantaneously. With over 220 million users internationally,
Windows Live Messenger is one of the largest communities online. Every day,
over 2.5 billion Messenger messages are sent around the world, and at any
one time more than 15 million people are using Windows Live Messenger.
About MSN
MSN is the world's most popular destination on the Web, attracting more
than 360 million visitors per month. Available in 34 markets and 18
languages, MSN provides consumers with their home on the Web. MSN is a
world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and digital marketing
solutions to businesses worldwide. MSN is located on the Web at
http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at
http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx. In Singapore, MSN is located at
http://www.msn.com.sg.
About Sybase 365
Sybase 365 is a new subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. following Sybase's
acquisition of Mobile 365, Inc. Delivering more than 3.5 billion messages
per month, Sybase 365 leads the world in the global delivery and settlement
of mobile messaging and data services, including SMS, MMS, IM and WAP.
Sybase 365's unrivaled global data network reaches 700 mobile operators
around the world, making Sybase 365 the largest provider of mobile
interoperability messaging and mobile enterprise applications in the world.
For more information, please visit: http://www.sybase.com/365/.
Sybase and Sybase 365 are trademarks of Sybase, Inc. All other company
and product names mentioned may be trademarks of the respective companies
with which they are associated.
