StarHub offers cheaper Malaysian roaming

Singapore, 5 August 2011 – Frequent travellers to Malaysia can now have peace of mind staying connected through their Singapore mobile lines, whether it is to make a phone call, send an SMS or access Internet services.

From today, StarHub Mobile pre-paid customers can enjoy mobile rates almost like a local mobile pre-paid user in Malaysia! This resulted from a special agreement between StarHub and Malaysian mobile service provider U Mobile, to encourage roaming between the two countries. The roaming offer begins now till 31 January 2012.

The roaming special rates are available to all StarHub Mobile pre-paid customers, existing and new. New customers can get a StarHub Mobile pre-paid card from any StarHub Shop or authorised dealer. To enjoy this service, customers simply activate the roaming service by dialing *111# prior to travelling. When in Malaysia, they just need to log on to the U Mobile network. They can receive incoming calls or call back a Singapore phone number from as low as $0.25 per minute. The regular rate is at $0.79 per minute.

Said Ms Joanna Chan, Vice President of Personal Solutions, StarHub: "Malaysia is a top travel destination for the people in Singapore. Just in 2010, as many as 13 million tourists from Singapore visited Malaysia! Come weekend and any public holiday, we will see tens of thousands here crossing the border for the food, shopping, visiting friends or relatives, or for a short get-away from home. And while we are in Malaysia, we all need to stay connected, ideally on the same Singapore mobile number that we are associated with. This roaming offering provides those who frequently visit Malaysia significant tangible savings for their mobile usage from their Singapore line so that they won’t have to miss a phone call, SMS or email on their trip.”

Dialog consolidates Growth momentum with Strong Q2 Results

The Group recorded a strong growth in revenue to reach Rs 11.1billion in Q2 2011 and Rs 22.0billion for 1H 2011 respectively, an increase of 1% QoQ and 9% Year on Year. Group profitability was founded on a healthy momentum in EBITDA growth with Q2 2011 EBITDA being recorded at Rs 3.8billion, an increase of 7% QoQ. Group EBITDA for 1H 2011 was posted at Rs 7.3billion up 3% compared to the corresponding period in 2010. Group Net profit for Q2 2011 was posted at Rs 1.4billion, up 19% QoQ. Net Profit for 1H 2011 was recorded at Rs 2.5billion up 22% Year on Year.

Financial outcomes at Group level were driven by strong performance across the Company and its subsidiaries. Bolstered by a circa 7 million mobile subscriber base, EBITDA at company level increased by 7% QoQ to reach Rs 3.5billion in Q2 2011. Company EBITDA for 1H 2011 however showed contraction by 4% Year on Year, due in the main to an 18% increase in operating costs. Cost expansion is attributable in the main to revenue linked costs associated with International origination and Domestic Interconnection charges, and escalation in network operating costs in line with aggressive expansion of the Company’s 2G and 3G infrastructure footprint. Cost escalation Year on Year was further influenced by the impact of non-recoverable VAT expenditure, pursuant to changes in the VAT environment applicable to the Telecom Industry since January 2011. Company PAT grew by 18% QoQ to be recorded at Rs 1.6billion in Q2 2011. In line with EBITDA contraction on a Year on Year basis, Company PAT in 1H 2011 was recorded at Rs 3.0billion, down 3% relative to the corresponding period in 2010.

More Sabahans to enjoy DiGi broadband with new service availability in Labuan

Labuan, 4 AUGUST 2011: DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd ("DiGi") today launched 3G services in Labuan, covering 65% of populated areas in the territory, and making it the fifth market center in Sabah to enjoy the benefit of DiGi's Turbo 3G network.

DiGi's Head of Sabah Region, Ng Chak Khin said the expansion comes as part of the company's 'Internet for All' ambition to bring the power of the Internet to more Malaysians. "The newly expanded coverage area is timely as we see increasing demand for data usage among Sabahans. We intend to fuel the uptrend by aggressively expanding our 3G service to more market centres in the state, namely to Papar, Tuaran and Keningau by the end of this year.

"While we concentrate on building a more connected society in Sabah, we are also innovating to reach out to non-smartphone users so they can explore and enjoy the benefits of a mobile Internet lifestyle. A large part of this includes providing richer user experiences on their current devices, through social media applications such as DiGi Facebook SMS and Twitter SMS, and the DiGi-Opera Mini browser, to name a few.

From today, Sabahans can sign-up for a variety of DiGi 3G mobile internet packages in four locations, namely the DiGi Specialised Store in Financial Park, and the following dealerships: Cellphone Telecommunication and Big Win Shop (Tan Boon Hau Shoplots), and KT Phone (Jalan OKK Abdullah).

Also in conjunction with DiGi 3G availability in Labuan, interested residents can get more information and capitalise on customized DiGi Internet promotions at our road-show in September at the Labuan Financial Park (IOFC). Special promotions include broadband packages for an affordable RM38 monthly, and customer savings of up to RM240* for any of DiGi's Discover or Explore monthly data plans.

DiGi currently has a 46% population coverage in Sabah, with 3G services also available in Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Tawau, and Sandakan.

Vodafone’s new network now live in South Yarra and Richmond

Vodafone’s new network now live in South Yarra and Richmond

Vodafone has announced the rollout of its new smartphone and mobile broadband 850MHz network in South Yarra and Richmond, bringing customers better indoor coverage, faster downloads and a stronger signal than before from Vodafone.

“We have completed major work to build a new 3G network in South Yarra, Richmond and some surrounding suburbs, delivering improved coverage and faster data downloads than before from Vodafone,” said Michael Young, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone.

Telecom has announced one of the lowest national mobile calling rates for residential customers

Telecom has announced one of the lowest national mobile calling rates for residential customers in New Zealand with the launch of its new bundled plan, Total Home Mobile.

Customers using the Total Home Mobile plan can call from their nominated XT mobile to landlines or mobiles on any network in New Zealand for just 29 cents per minute, as well as send up to 300 text messages per month to any network.

U Mobile agrees low roaming with StarHub

U Mobile agrees low roaming with StarHub

Effective from August 3rd, all U Mobile prepaid subscribers travelling to Singapore will roam on Starhub network but only to be charged at local rates and enjoy roaming absolutely for FREE.

Dr. Kaizad Heerjee, Chief Executive Officer, U Mobile Sdn Bhd said, “Earlier this year, the Malaysian Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, YBhg Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim urged the industry to reduce cross-causeway roaming rates. Today we proudly announce that we are not just reducing the rates, but totally eliminating the cross-causeway roaming charges for U Mobile users. It is the epitome of convenience at no extra cost. As the industry innovation pioneer, we will continue to deliver beyond expectations.”

The new offering by U Mobile will benefit millions of travellers between Malaysia and Singapore. Recent numbers show there are approximately 150,000 Malaysians commuting from Johor Bahru crossing Causeway to Singapore, with an average of 60,000 vehicles crossing the causeway on any typical day. In 2010, more than 7 million tourists from Malaysia spent their weekends and holidays in Singapore.

SSTL Expands Scope Of Network Managed Services With Ericsson

SSTL Expands Scope Of Network Managed Services With Ericsson

Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd. (SSTL), which nationally operates telecom services under the MTS brand with over 12 million wireless subscribers, today extended its current managed services contract with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) in India. The extension adds four new circles of CDMA wireless networks and a new three-year contract including the management of fiber transport and wireline networks in Rajasthan.

Under the three-year agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for network optimization;operations and maintenance including field operations and 24/7 network service assurance, and fulfillment network service provisioning, customer problem management and spare parts management

Telecom has extended its 100MB deal to Hong Kong and Canada

Telecom has extended its 100MB deal to Hong Kong and Canada

Telecom has extended its 100MB for $100 data roaming deal to two more countries so XT customers roaming in Hong Kong and Canada will now receive best data roaming rates in the market.

The standard data roaming rate in Hong Kong has plunged by almost 70% from $25 per MB to $8 per MB, and the Canadian standard data roaming rate by 20% from $10 per MB to $8 per MB, and the cost will be capped at $100 for up to 100MB.

Chief Marketing Officer of Telecom Retail, Kieren Cooney, says this announcement follows shortly after Telecom launched the same rates in Australia, United States and the United Kingdom.

Telstra online portal for smartphone fleet management

Telstra online portal for smartphone fleet management

Organisations will be able to manage their smartphone fleet more easily, track multiple devices and update mobile security configurations through a new Telstra web service launched today.

The cloud-based service allows IT administrators to manage fleets covering the most popular smartphone operating systems from Apple, Google Android, Windows Phone 6.5 and Nokia Symbian. The service will also be used to configure tablets in the near future.

Once logged into Telstra Mobile Device Management, an organisation’s fleet of mobile devices are listed. Each can be remotely configured with new software while enterprise applications can also be installed direct to the device using the Telstra Next G® network.

Tim Webber, Director of Business Mobility, Telstra said the Telstra Mobile Device Management Portal was designed to give IT administrators the ability to directly manage smartphones in organisations.

Telecom has extended its 100MB for $100 data roaming deal

Telecom has extended its 100MB for $100 data roaming deal to two more countries so XT customers roaming in Hong Kong and Canada will now receive best data roaming rates in the market.

Chief Marketing Officer of Telecom Retail, Kieren Cooney, says this announcement follows shortly after Telecom launched the same rates in Australia, United States and the United Kingdom.

“By offering great value data roaming rates in five of the main destinations New Zealanders visit, we’re ensuring customers can travel between countries with consistent pricing and have cost certainty around their bill when they return home.”

“Our 100MB data cap means customers who use up 100 MB will essentially be paying $1 per MB,” Cooney says.