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| 8 JAN 08 |
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New MVNO to hit the market soon |
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KUALA LUMPUR: Mobile virtual network operator(MVNO) XOX.Com Sdn Bhd is expected to go live with its services within the next three to six months, making it the fourth such player in the market to date.
The Edge Financial Daily learnt that the new entrant will operate as an MVNO in partnership with a Malaysian telecommunications operator, to be announced later this month.
It is understood that XOX.Com is expected to launch one of its services this month, followed by the gradual rollout of its whole suite of services.
An MVNO is an organisation which provides mobile telephony services to its customers, but does not have allocation of spectrum. MVNOs purchase wholesale minutes from telcos to offer mobile services to subscribers.
The existing MVNOs in the market all have partnerships with Celcom (M) Bhd. In November 2007, REDtone International Bhd, via its wholly owned subsidiary REDtone Mobile Services Sdn Bhd, partnered Celcom (M) Bhd as the first MVNO targeting the mobile postpaid enterprise segment. REDtone's services are slated for launch in March.
Last month, Tune Talk.com Sdn Bhd announced plans to offer mobile services under the MVNO model, with plans to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2008. It is in partnership with Celcom (M) Bhd to utilise the latter's network.
Another Celcom partner is U Mobile Sdn Bhd, a quasi-MVNO which holds a 3G spectrum licence, where its customers can roam on Celcom's 2G network where it does not have coverage.
Heading XOX.com is co-founder and managing director Ng Kok Heng, a former consultant who has worked with operators such as Celcom and Singapore telco SingTel.
It is understood that XOX.Com has received its network services provider licence from industry regulator, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
It was also learnt that the company has received an application services provider (ASP) licence, as it plans to act as a one-stop centre for ASPs to offer mobile content and other services to XOX.com subscribers.
Among the services XOX.com will offer to its subscribers are purchases via mobile devices, top-up facilities, content and services offering a social networking element. Also in its suite of services is a feature that allows consumers to seamlessly access mobile web services via the web and on their mobile devices.
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| by Sharmila Ganapathy |
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Press Release
