REDMOND, Wash., and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 14, 2005 — Celcom Malaysia and Microsoft Corp. today announced their mutual alliance to drive the development and implementation of a software-powered service network through the Microsoft
®
Connected Services Framework. By deploying the Connected Services Framework, Celcom Malaysia will be able to offer new multimedia services and rich applications such as e-mail, calendaring, scheduling and instant messaging to multiple mobile devices. Malaysia’s leading mobile communications provider, Celcom Malaysia is the first wireless operator to take advantage of the Microsoft Connected Services Framework, which was announced today at 3GSM World Congress 2005 in Cannes.
“We are excited about the potential for our future service offerings,” said Tan Sri Dato Ir. Muhammad Radzi bin Haji Mansor, chairman of Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad and Telekom Malaysia. “With the Microsoft Connected Services Framework, we are entering the future of cellular network architecture: a software-powered service network that would allow us to rapidly introduce compelling offerings that attract new subscribers and increase customer satisfaction among our existing user base.”
The Microsoft Connected Services Framework is an integrated solution that dramatically improves the creation, bundling and aggregation of services by providing telecommunications companies with the common capabilities needed to connect multiple data services across multiple networks. Leveraging the strengths of leading Microsoft technologies and initiatives such as Windows Server (TM) , Microsoft SQL Server (TM) , BizTalk® Server, Visual Studio®
.NET and Mobile Web Services, the Connected Services Framework allows service providers to quickly develop and deploy numerous content services to attract new subscribers and increase the revenue generated per subscriber.
Celcom Malaysia will begin implementing the Microsoft Connected Services Framework in March. Celcom Malaysia plans to leverage the solution to launch communication and collaboration services including e-mail, contact management, scheduling, instant messaging, device provisioning and home-screen themes. Celcom Malaysia also plans to use the Connected Services Framework to enable a network of third-party developers to create compelling new services that leverage Celcom Malaysia’s network and billing assets.
“We are extremely pleased that Celcom Malaysia has selected the Microsoft Connected Services Framework as the foundation upon which it will deliver integrated services to its mobile customers anywhere, on any device,” said Maria Martinez, corporate vice president of the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “As the capabilities of wireless phones and networks grow, mobile service providers need a secure, reliable platform that will enable them to rapidly create and deliver new sets of services that target the specific requirements of their customers. By choosing the Connected Services Framework, Celcom Malaysia is staying ahead of the curve, demonstrating its leadership position in the mobile communications industry.”
About Celcom Malaysia
Celcom Malaysia is now the country’s most experienced and premier mobile cellular telecommunications company with over 4.97 million customers (as of September 2004) for both prepaid and post-paid mobile services under the 019 and 013 access codes. It has the most comprehensive network coverage, covering 95 percent of the populated areas in the country. Celcom Malaysia offers international roaming service in more than 90 countries over almost 200 networks worldwide. For more information, log on to http://www.celcom.com.my .
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.
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