DiGi Selects HP and 724 Solutions to Build Solutions Platform that Supports Innovative Data Services from Content Providers Worldwide
DiGi's new content provider access platform enables the launch of exciting new mobile data services in Malaysia
Asia Pacific, (Singapore), October 23, 2003 - HP (NYSE:HPQ) and 724 Solutions (NASDAQ: SVNX; TSX: SVN), a leading provider of next-generation IP-based network and data services, today announced that DiGi Telecommunications has chosen both companies to power the growth of its third-party content offerings.
With the joint solution, DiGi, Malaysia's leading mobile communications company, will further enhance their Content Provider Access (CPA) platform. This platform allows DiGi to open its network to independent content providers to offer content and services directly to mobile subscribers on a revenue sharing basis. DiGi's more than two million mobile subscribers in Malaysia will be able to enjoy third party premium SMS and new MMS-type services. CPA is a crucial strategy for DiGi that maximizes data revenue opportunities.
With CPA, DiGi is offering the broadest array of new and innovative content and services developed by a worldwide pool of content owners and mobile interactive companies, creating a three-way win-win situation benefiting mobile subscribers, DiGi and content providers. Pioneered by DiGi's parent company, Telenor, CPA replaces the traditional restrictive access concept, also known as the 'walled garden' concept in developing and controlling mobile content and services.
DiGi is implementing 724 Solutions' X-treme Service Activity Manager (XSAM) to build DiGi's CPA platform. XSAM is a powerful workflow engine that enables DiGi to more easily manage and integrate relationships with content providers. XSAM also enhances the speed and ease of deploying new services and provides a single management point for all content, whether provided by DiGi or third parties. XSAM can rapidly provision and launch many new content providers while providing total flexibility for content and applications provisioning.
DiGi has selected HP infrastructure based on HP's enterprise servers, rp5470, rp7410 and Superdome running on HP-UX 11i, which is ranked the number 1 UNIX in the world according to DH Brown's 2002 UNIX Function Review. The high availability infrastructure will protect DiGi's investment with the option of upgrading to the Itanium 2-based platforms. In addition, HP will deploy its StorageWorks Disk Array xp1024, a highly performance disk array system which is scalable and reliable to support the growth of DiGi CPA platform.
HP Services' Consulting & Integration arm will integrate the new CPA platform into DiGi's existing infrastructure, such as Pre and Post Paid Billing, Mediation, SMSC and Financial systems. HP Services will also create the infrastructure that supports revenue sharing between DiGi and content providers, as well as third party registration, subscribers' credit verification and financial reporting.
"Having pioneered the CPA concept in Malaysia, we are constantly seeking for innovative ways to deliver our CPA services in a fast and timely manner, and one that will benefit content providers, our customers and us. In line with this, our tie up with HP and 724 Solutions, will help DiGi to take the CPA concept to the next level of delivering mobile multimedia type content," said DiGi's Chief Information Officer, Madam Chua Seok Theng.
"This will also encourage third parties to speedily deploy new premium content for our customers, giving us a competitive advantage and maximizing revenue share opportunities," added Chua.
"As carriers adopt the open model of data services, they need open infrastructure to help third parties deploy new content," said Andrew Lau, General Manager, Network and Service Provider, HP Asia Pacific. "HP and our partnership with 724 Solutions provides the most agile and robust infrastructure to support profitable relationships with content providers."
"Mobile network operators are discovering that differentiated content offerings are driven by their ability to quickly establish and effectively manage a sufficient number of content provider relationships," says John Sims, chief executive officer, 724 Solutions. "Subscribers want access to a broad array of compelling premium content that is relevant and delivers value to their personal and professional lives. With XSAM, mobile network operators have an infrastructure that will enable literally thousands of content provider relationships, allowing the operator to realize the full revenue potential from their mobile data service."
"By providing a single integration and management point, 724's X-treme Service Activity Manager enables wireless operators to introduce new content services in a fast and low-risk way," said XJ Wang, Senior Analyst, Yankee Group. "In addition, because XSAM is designed in an open architecture, it works not only with 724's WAP 2.0 X-treme Mobility Gateway, but also with other vendors' open, standard-based WAP Gateways, MMSCs and SMSCs. This characteristic is critical for a solution to find an entry point in the market."
724 Solutions is one of HP's Mobile Service Delivery Platform (MSDP) strategic global partner that helps provide mobile operators a more effective way to launch, integrate and manage new wireless services for subscribers. MSDP is a powerful set of telecommunication software and tools, partner solutions, carrier-grade hardware and integration services that is part of HP's mobile ecosystem.
"HP MSDP helps provide mobile operators what they need to build a services-rich, profitable network: a single, shared platform that attracts developers and can integrate and manage many mobile services cost effectively," added Lau.
"724 Solutions is delighted to provide the mobile access gateway for HP MSDP from our X-treme Mobility Suite (XMS)", said Sims. "As carriers deploy next-generation data networks, the need for an open, highly scalable, reliable and fault tolerant solution is essential. 724's XMS empowers carriers to generate new revenues through the delivery of innovative next-generation services."
The project will be completed in two phases. HP is currently working on Phase Two of the project to integrate and enhance SMS, WAP and MMS infrastructure to the CPA platform.
About 724 Solutions Inc.
724 Solutions (NASDAQ: SVNX; TSX: SVN) delivers reliable, scalable technology and solutions that allow mobile network operators to rapidly deploy flexible and open next generation IP-based network and data services. Additionally, in conjunction with mobile operator partners, the company provides a series of actionable alerting solutions to enterprises to assist them in lowering operating costs and improving customer relationship management. 724 Solutions is a global company with development operations in North America, Switzerland and Germany with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. For more information, visit www.724.com.
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium businesses. For the last four quarters, HP revenue totaled US$71.3 billion. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.
About DiGi
DiGi is a leading mobile communications company providing a comprehensive range of affordable, convenient and easy to use wireless services to simplify and enrich the lives of its customers. We create value for our customers by selecting the most appropriate cutting edge technology so that they benefit from products and services that give them choice, convenience and control.
We have an established presence as a leader in voice and data prepaid services with a number of firsts that have set industry benchmarks for creativity and innovation. These services are offered under the Beyond Prepaid brand name. Our postpaid service under the Mobile One brand name delivers high quality voice as well as value-added mobile content and data services to both individual and corporate customers.
For more information on DiGi's CPA platform, please visit www.cpa.digi.com.my.
For more information, contact:
Avichai Levy, VP Marketing Mobixell Networks
Tel: +972 544 666 785
Avichai.levy@mobixell.com
Kirsten Scott and Kim Smith, éclat Marketing
Tel: +44 (0)1276 486000
mobixell@eclat.co.uk
