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Telecommunications Optus launches 3G with "key differentiators"
Telecommunications Optus launches 3G with "key differentiators" | Optus launches 3G with "key differentiators" |
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| by Stuart Corner | |
| Tuesday, 15 November 2005 | |
  
The include an always-on instant messaging (IM) service that "[allows] users to have the same user experience on their mobile as on the PC," and Optus Wireless Connect - the first Australian datacard to offer seamless roaming across GSM, 3G and WiFi networks, in this case Optus' wireless hotspots. Allan Lew, managing director, Optus Consumer ,said: "We will unveil a brand new interface called "MyZooNow" - an active, intuitive portal where information is continually updated and pushed to mobile handsets...[and giving] a level of personalisation not seen before. "The key driver behind Optus' 3G launch has been the partnership model we have adopted. We have worked hard with first class companies such as ABC, Azure, Bullant, Comverse, Legion, LogicaCMG, MultiMap, Ninemsn, Nokia, Nortel and Soundbuzz to bring the best of the best in technology devices and content to our customers," Lew said. MyZooNow was developed jointly by Optus, Bullant and Nokia in the Optus Nokia Future La, a joint initiative by the two companies set up to test and develop potential mobile applications. Lew claimed that Optus was "the first operator in the world to launch a network infrastructure featuring Nokia's Multi-Operator Radio Access Network (MO-RAN) technology, which allows for the easy sharing o radio services. This technology, announced five years ago by Nokia, gives operators the ability to share infrastructure with non-shared spectrum, so Vodafone would also be a user. (Telstra and Hutchison's 3g infrastructure arrangement differs from the Optus-Vodafone one in that they have pooled their spectrum). Nokia, however is far less keen to brag about its relationship with Vodafone, than with Optus. It issued no statement when Vodafone launched its 3G service a couple of weeks ag but yesterday put out a press release saying " In November 2004, Optus jointly announced an innovative infrastructure sharing deal with another operator to have Nokia build a shared 3G network." The initial build-out of more than 2,000 base stations covering the six major capital cities is scheduled to be completed by March 2007. MyZooNow, a billed as a unique handset 'homepage' that displays information a customer has specifically requested. Fifteen individual content channels allow customers to personalise across work and play modes. Users can set up different preferences for work hours and after-work hours that will switch automatically. This means they can have information such as stock quotes, currency news or breaking news pushed to their mobile while they are working; or LiveTV, music and entertainment in their spare time. MyZooNow is powered by two new network systems. The first is a content management system (CMS) which searches the web for breaking news from Optus' content providers. The system filters the alerts against users' personalised settings and pushes only relevant information to the handset. CMS also provides the new search functionality for both MyZooNow on 3G and Optus Zoo on the GSM network. The second is a location based services (LBS) server which enables the network and certain content services to identify the location of the customer. LBS powers the FindA service (maps and directions) and can be used to automatically change the MyZooNow mode based on the location of the user. Instant messaging is being provided through a partnership with Ninemsn and will offered free to Optus 3G customers and GSM users with compatible handsets until 1 February 2006 when it will be charged at 95 cents unlimited use per day or $5.95 unlimited for a month. Four new capped plans will be available to consumers: $49 cap (minimum spend $49 with an included cap value of $230) per month; $59 ($280); $79 ($500); $89 ($560). Three new data plans will be offered: $49 cap (50MB data downloads) per month; $89 (500MB); $129 cap (1.5GB). Optus will start five handsets - Nokia N70; Nokia 6680; Samsung Z500; Sony Ericsson K600; Samsung Z140. |
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