Maxis Communications Berhad (Maxis), Malaysia's telecommunications company, has entered into an agreement with Sybase 365, a provider of mobile enterprise applications and messaging, to deliver MSN Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, the next generation of MSN Hotmail, to more than eight million Maxis mobile subscribers.
Maxis mobile subscribers around Malaysia can access MSN Hotmail. All postpaid and prepaid Maxis customers can now log onto mobile to register their mobile phone numbers to their corresponding MSN Hotmail accounts. This will enable them to receive their Hotmail e-mail via SMS on their mobile devices. They will also be able to compose and send e-mail directly to the sender's inbox via SMS, the company stated.
The 'Windows Live Messenger over SMS' service enables users to communicate with their Windows Live Messenger buddies via a personal computer and any mobile device that supports SMS technology. When users log onto Messenger via a personal computer, they can also keep in touch with family and friends via their mobile phone by creating a mobile MSN Messenger number for each buddy on their list, the company added.
"With subscribers becoming more tech-savvy and knowledgeable, telco players have to offer new mobile content and relevant applications to ensure they continue to appeal to consumers and they stay with their respective prepaid and postpaid packages," said Rohit Dadwal, Director, Platform, Mobile and OneCare, Asia Pacific, Microsoft Online Services Business.
"We are seeing great market traction in Asia, and this deal with Maxis and Microsoft's online services group continues to solidify our foothold here," said Matthew Talbot, Vice President for Asia, Sybase 365.
The MSN Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger over SMS services utilises Sybase 365's custom-made mobile platform—developed based upon Microsoft.NET technology—to provide the ability to adapt to the complex nature of the Asian mobile communications market, where the SMS infrastructure requirements, billing arrangements, and other SMS features vary from operator to operator, the company said in a statement.
Other countries in Asia in which Microsoft's Online Services Group and Sybase 365 have launched the service are Australia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
|
