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KPN, NTT Docomo, Rogers Communications, SingTel, Telefónica, Telstra and Vimpelcom to cooperate on global M2M business initiatives

  • Alliance to focus on development of seamless, globally accepted M2M
    solution, targeted at multinational customers with connected M2M
    devices
  • Alliance members will also cooperate to develop the M2M market and
    enhance the customer experience
  • The initiative is open to other operators

TORONTO, July 10, 2012 /CNW/ – Seven world mobile operators, KPN, NTT
Docomo Inc., Rogers Communications, SingTel, Telefónica, through its
Telefónica Digital unit, Telstra and Vimpelcom have entered into a
memorandum of understanding to form an alliance to support a single,
global platform that multinational businesses will leverage to enable
connected devices in multiple countries.

The goal of the global alliance is to create efficiencies for
manufacturers and enhance the end user experience by enabling delivery
of a global product with a single SIM, eliminating roaming costs in the
countries of participating operators. The centralized management of SIM
status and performance of M2M devices across the globe will be managed
from a single web interface with Jasper Wireless’ Control Center.

The objectives of the alliance are to develop and grow M2M business
globally, simplify development of new business models, speed delivery
of new product and services to market and help multinational business
customers better manage and reduce operational costs.

It is expected that this initiative will increase the ability of all
participating operators to significantly enhance the M2M value
proposition fortheir respective customers in markets around the world.

The alliance members will continue to cooperate to develop the M2M
market by enriching customer experiences to better meet the needs and
expectations of  global customers.

About KPN
KPN is the leading telecommunications and ICT service provider in the
Netherlands, offering wireline and wireless telephony, internet and TV
to consumers and end-to-end telecom and ICT services to business
customers. In Germany and Belgium, KPN pursues a Challenger strategy in
its wireless operations and holds number three market positions through
E-Plus and BASE. KPN provides wholesale network services to third
parties and operates an efficient IP-based infrastructure with global
scale in international wholesale through iBasis. For M2M we offer PAN
European solutions.

At December 31st, 2011, KPN served over 44.5 million customers, of which
36.6 million were in wireless services, 4 million in wireline voice,
2.5 million in broadband Internet and 1.4 million in TV. With 18,687
FTEs in the Netherlands (31,084 FTEs for the whole group), KPN reported
full-year revenues of EUR 13.1bn and an EBITDA of EUR 5.1bn in 2011.
KPN was incorporated in 1989 and is listed on the Amsterdam Stock
Exchange.

About NTT Docomo
NTT DOCOMO is a world-leading integrated-services company centered on
mobility. The company serves over 60 million mobile customers in Japan
via advanced wireless networks, including a nationwide 3G network and
one of the world’s first commercial LTE networks. Leveraging its unique
capabilities as a mobile operator, DOCOMO is a leading developer of
cutting-edge technologies for NFC mobile payments, mobile GPS, mobile
TV, intuitive mobile assistance, environmental monitoring, smart grids
and much more. Overseas, the company provides technical and operational
expertise to eight mobile operators and other partner companies. NTT
DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM) and New York (DCM)
stock exchanges. Please visit www.nttdocomo.com for more information

About Rogers
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media
company. We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data
communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable
television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers
Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised
shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and
digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

About SingTel
SingTel is Asia’s leading communications group providing a portfolio of
services including voice and data solutions over fixed, wireless and
Internet platforms as well as infocomm technology and pay TV. The Group
has presence in Asia and Africa with 445 million mobile customers in 26
countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the
Philippines and Thailand. It also has a vast network of offices
throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States.

About Telefónica Digital
Telefónica Digital is a global business division of Telefónica. Its
mission is to seize the opportunities within the digital world and
deliver new growth for Telefónica through research & development,
venture capital, global partnerships and digital services such as cloud
computing, mobile advertising, M2M solutions and eHealth. Telefónica
Digital will deliver these innovative products and services to
Telefónica’s 300 million customers as well as leveraging the power of
the internet to enter new markets. It is headquartered in London with
regional centres in Silicon Valley, Sao Paolo, Spain and Tel Aviv.
Jajah, Terra, Tuenti, giffgaff and 48 are all part of the Telefónica
Group.

About Telstra.
Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications and information
services company, with one of the best known brands in the country.
Telstra offers a full range of services and competes in all
telecommunications markets throughout the country. Telstra has
Australia’s largest fully integrated IP network and Australia’s largest
and fastest mobile broadband network, the Telstra Mobile network,
comprising 3G-HSPA+ (across the entire coverage footprint) and 4G-LTE
technology (in more than 100 locations across Australia) operating
together. Telstra also has an international presence spanning 15
countries, including China.

About VimpelCom
VimpelCom is one of the world’s largest integrated telecommunications
services operators providing voice and data services through a range of
traditional and broadband mobile and fixed technologies in Russia,
Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi,
Zimbabwe, Central African Republic and Canada. VimpelCom’s operations
around the globe cover territory with a total population of
approximately 782 million people. VimpelCom provides services under the
“Beeline”, “Kyivstar”, “djuice”, “Wind”, “Infostrada” “Mobilink”,
“Leo”, “banglalink”, “Telecel”, and “Djezzy” brands. As of March 31,
2012
VimpelCom had 209 million mobile subscribers on a combined basis.
VimpelCom is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
(VIP). For more information visit: http://www.vimpelcom.com