Optus to help SMBs move to the cloud with Google

Optus to help SMBs move to the cloud with Google

Optus announced today it has signed an agreement with Google to offer Google Apps for Business™as part of its range of digital business solutions for small and medium business (SMB) customers. The agreement marks Optus SMB entry into the software as a service market.

Google Apps including email, calendar, office applications, instant messaging, collaboration and videoconferencing will be part of Optus’ new portfolio of cloud-based business tools to help SMBs manage their business. The product launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2011.

Rohan Ganeson, Managing Director of Optus Small and Medium Business, said, “Our aim is to provide SMBs with an integrated suite of cloud-based business tools that enables them to connect, manage and promote their business more cost effectively. Whether it’s establishing an online presence, collaborating within the business, or reaching new customers, SMBs don’t have to worry about maintaining the back-end IT systems. We are providing small businesses with the tools and support that big businesses have at their disposal today.”

Doug Farber, Managing Director for Google’s Asia-Pacific Enterprise division, said, “Australian SMBs often would like to invest in better communication and collaboration tools, but they assume that it’s too expensive or complicated. Our association with Optus today aims to remove these barriers. We’re bringing together Google’s cloud technology with Optus’ business solutions, service and distribution network to provide small business owners an innovative yet easy-to-use offering.”

RCOM signs loan pact with China Development Bank

RCOM signs loan pact with China Development Bank

Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM) today signed final documentation with China Development Bank (CDB) for a Rs. 6000 crore (US$ 1.33 Billion) loan facility. (USD = 45.15 INR)

The loan facility is fully underwritten by CDB, and will be funded by a syndicate of Chinese Banks/Financial Institutions including CDB.

This represents the first and largest ever Syndicated Loan for refinancing Spectrum Fees.

RCOM has also signed an additional Agreement for Rs. 2700 crore (US$ 600 million) with CDB, for financing imports / domestic expenditure of telecom equipment from Chinese vendors (namely, Huawei and ZTE).

Vodafone Aus customers first to get their hands on Gingerbread

Vodafone Aus customers first to get their hands on Gingerbread

Vodafone today announced that Nexus S™ will be available to existing customers from 9 March and to new customers from 16 March. Available on a range of high value plans including from $5 per month on a $65 Vodafone Infinite plan¹, Nexus S™ is the world’s first handset to come powered by the latest version of the Android™ platform for smartphones, known as Gingerbread (Android 2.3), and is packed with Google™’s powerful technology and the latest Samsung hardware features.

John Casey, Director of Marketing at Vodafone Hutchison Australia said, “As the first operator to launch the highly anticipated Nexus S™, we can offer customers the fastest version of Android™ yet. Using Gingerbread (Android 2.3) Vodafone customers will be able to get the most from their Google™ mobile apps and enjoy them on a 4 inch contour display. Combined with Vodafone’s great value plans, Nexus S™ is sure to make its mark on the Australian smartphone market and we’re thrilled to be able to offer this device to our customers.”

PLDT offers first mobile cloud computing solution

PLDT offers first mobile cloud computing solution

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company has introduced the country’s first mobile broadband solution that offers integrated cloud-based internet protection.

Dubbed as PLDT WeRoam PROTECT, the solution allows a company’s mobile workforce to access the internet as well as the company’s intranet network and software applications through a secure wireless internet connection.

PLDT Vice President and Head of Corporate Business Jovy Hernandez said this deals with the pressing need of large companies to increase the productivity of employees while providing a secure internet experience.

CSL provides Hong Kong Users the Fastest Mobile Broadband Network in Asia Pacific

CSL provides Hong Kong Users the Fastest Mobile Broadband Network in Asia Pacific

Hong Kong has reaffirmed its place as a world leader in the mobile broadband revolution. In a confirmation of the city’s digital prowess, the network of Hong Kong’s leading mobile operator CSL Limited (CSL) provides the third fastest mobile broadband network in the world, and the fastest in Asia Pacific, according to an independent US-based Ookla Net Metrics’ network speed test platform, speedtest.net.

“Mobile data usage increased more than 300 percent in Hong Kong between 2009 and 2010, and many industry players have been suffering from bandwidth squeeze as a result, which has negatively impacted the user experience for their customers,” said Joseph O’Konek, Chief Executive Officer of CSL Limited.

Digicel Samoa Launches Mobile Money Service

Digicel Samoa Launches Mobile Money Service

The “Digicel Mobile Money” service has been developed with the support of the Central Bank of Samoa, the United Nations Pacific Financial Inclusion Fund (PFIP) and the GSM Association (GSMA)

Customers who wish to register for the service simply need to dial *888# from their Digicel phone and follow the prompts.

Pepe Christian Fruean, CEO Digicel Samoa, says, “We believe that the development of Digicel Money will be hugely significant for our customers in Samoa. When you consider the number of people who do not have access to basic financial services Digicel Money will transform the way our customers receive, handle and transfer money and pay bills. We are very grateful to the Central Bank of Samoa, the PFIP and the GSMA for their support and assistance in the development of this project and we can look forward, together, to the positive impact of Mobile Money for communities here in Samoa.”

Digicel Money received financial and technical support from the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) as part of the UNDP. Tillman Bruett, Technical Advisor of the UNDP’s PFIP said, “This is a very important step in bringing access to safe and affordable financial services to the estimated 70% of Pacific islanders that are unbanked. The majority of low income households in the Pacific need an affordable and a safe means to store and move money. We are supporting a number of initiatives in the region and are happy to be working with Digicel in Samoa and elsewhere to meet this need.”