Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad, a mobile communications provider in Malaysia, has selected NeuStar, a provider of communications technologies, to deliver a range of “interconnect-ready” mobile Instant Messaging (IM) services to its customers.
Under the agreement, Celcom will use NeuStar’s suite of IM systems to provide instant access to Yahoo! Messenger from their mobile handsets. Further, Celcom’s own-branded IM service will enable subscribers to build their own IM communities and enable them to communicate over IM regardless of whether they are currently a member of any particular internet IM community.
Celcom now will be able to extend interoperability to other operator networks in Malaysia using NeuStar’s Interconnect Platform (ICP) and Hub, thus enabling any mobile phone user in Malaysia to communicate with any mobile phone user through mobile IM. This supports the GSMA’s Personal IM initiative for operators to build on the success of SMS.
Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, CEO at Celcom, said: “Our customers enjoy IM on the PC, and we know they will enjoy being able to IM each other using their mobile phones regardless of what community they are in. NeuStar’s IM services and interconnect solutions are proven and scalable. We are looking forward to making Malaysia the first country in Asia to enjoy full network-to-network mobile IM.”
Guenter Krauss, general manager of NeuStar Next Generation Messaging (NGM), said: “The success of SMS demonstrates that mobile IM will generate significant revenues, and an interconnected solution provides a wide opportunity for all operators to benefit. NeuStar’s vision is a world where everyone can instantly communicate, regardless of community, device, location, or network. The coming together of all operators in Malaysia will be a welcome development.”
