Online Information And Advanced Services To Be Available To Singaporeans Via WAP Technology
Singapore, 16 March 2000 -- An exciting new world of mobile Internet access and convenient "access-anywhere" services will be available to StarHub customers through an agreement announced today with Siemens and Phone.com.
StarHub, Singapore’s new info-communications player, has awarded its WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) tender to Siemens Information and Communications Networks, a division of the global electrical and electronics giant, Siemens, for supply and installation of Phone.com’s WAP gateway. The agreement encompasses advanced wireless data technologies and applications for use on mobile communication devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and wireless communication terminals.
StarHub will deliver a wide range of online information and services – such as news, banking and financial services, email access, electronic commerce and online auctions – to StarHub’s customers when they sign up for WAP services. Come 1 April, StarHub will be the premier service provider to the WAP world.
Under the agreement, Siemens is providing StarHub with a complete WAP solution. The core WAP gateway technology, portal software, and certain key applications are from Phone.com, a provider of software and services that enables the delivery of Internet-based information services to mass-market wireless telephones. The three-way collaboration will allow StarHub to provide uniquely innovative wireless Internet services to its mobile customers.
"Consumers are excited about the WAP technology – it is the beginning of a new era in info-communications, with higher data speeds and ‘always on’ technology just around the corner. Now with StarHub’s WAP technology system, consumers can look forward to a higher level of info-communications – combining personal convenience, contents and applications," said Mr Peter Kaliaropoulos, Senior Vice-President (Commercial Operations).
At StarHub
"As StarHub gears up for our official launch on 1 April, we have put all the pieces in place to provide the best offerings and services to Singaporeans. This collaboration with Siemens and Phone.Com is another demonstration of how StarHub is delivering world class technologies and innovative services that empower consumers and improve all our lives."
The Siemens/Phone.com WAP solution and applications were selected by StarHub for their proven and robust platform providing complete scalability and carrier-grade reliability, together with a wide variety of user-friendly applications. StarHub plans to be able to offer to mobile device users the ability to accommodate new technologies and changes through Siemens/Phone.com’s WAP services. This flexibility and compelling range of applications provides StarHub with a differentiating advantage from other competitors.
Voicing his pleasure over this new partnership with StarHub, Mr. Christian Unterberger, Senior Vice-President of Siemens Information and Communication Networks, commented, "Currently, the Internet is being used for information services as well as personal and business transactions. We see this growing need for immediate personal access to the Internet as a necessity for corporate executives on the move with the younger generation as a fast-growing target group. Our partnership with StarHub for wireless data technology allows Siemens technology to cater to the needs of these two groups of people, while assisting StarHub in gaining a market share in this competitive industry. In this market where state-of-the-art technology and life-made-easy applications are top priority, the release and use of these applications will contribute to the development of the e-citizenship community which the government envisages."
