M2M World Alliance Delivers First Multi-Operator Global Solution

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2013 /CNW/ -The M2M World Alliance, which is comprised
of Etisalat, KPN, NTT DOCOMO, Rogers, SingTel, Telefonica, Telstra and
VimpelCom, today officially unveiled its solution which aims to
simplify and promote the adoption of machine-to-machine (M2M)
communications worldwide.

The unique solution will leverage the operators’ combined global
presence to benefit customers who are looking for regional or global
M2M deployments. It allows companies to enjoy connectivity throughout
the Alliance coverage area with in-market rates. Additional benefits
include easier compliance with local market regulations and the
potential for multinationals to provide global technical support from a
single market.

The name “M2M World Alliance” has recently been created to identify the
group’s coordinated operations.  Its multi-coloured logo represents the
Alliance’s aspiration to coordinate the delivery of M2M services
globally.

“We believe that our unique and seamless solution will drive rapid
growth in the adoption of M2M communications worldwide by giving our
customers the ability to operate connected devices globally at a
reduced cost,” said Angel David Garcia Barrio, Chairman of the M2M
World Alliance. “With operations in more than 60 countries, the
Alliance’s global footprint presents multinational organizations with a
seamless approach to deploying connected devices in multiple countries
at one time.”

M2M communications are used when machines – a broad term for equipment
used in all sorts of industries, including consumer electronics,
utilities, agriculture and construction – connect and exchange
information with information technology infrastructure. It is
considered by many as the latest stage in the internet’s evolution:
when cyberspace reaches beyond the traditional confines of computers to
connect to any device with a microprocessor.

Major growth areas identified by the M2M World Alliance for its global
solution include connected cars, fleet management, smart meters,
consumer electronics, game consoles, wearable electronics, telehealth
and security solutions.

“Access to a simple, seamless SIM solution on a global platform presents
a significant growth opportunity for global businesses deploying
connected devices,” said Mansell Nelson, Vice President, M2M, Rogers
Communications. “Our single SIM card makes it easier for businesses to
deploy connected devices in multiple countries and will drive further
growth for the machine-to-machine business at Rogers.”

Global M2M connections will grow from approximately two billion today to
reach 18 billion in 2022, according to a study by Machina Research, a
London-based consulting firm focused on emerging opportunities with new
forms of connected device.

Details of the Alliance’s products and coverage areas can be found on
its new website, www.m2mworldalliance.com.

About Etisalat
Strong commitment to excellence and innovation has seen Etisalat become
one of the world’s fastest-growing telecom groups, rapidly expanding
across Asia and Africa. Its UAE operations, strategically located at
the crossroads of East and West, enables Etisalat to be the major hub
in the Middle East for Internet, voice, broadcast, roaming and
corporate data services. Etisalat has been recognised as ‘Best
Operator’ 10 times since 2006 and ‘Best Wholesale Provider’ four times
in the last three years. Servicing 144 million customers in 15
countries Etisalat continues to reach out to new customers and markets.
For more information, www.etisalat.com

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 centred 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, Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary
SingTel Optus) and Africa with 486 million mobile customers in 25
countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and
Thailand. It also has a vast network of offices throughout Asia
Pacific, Europe and the United States. More information can be found at
www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au.

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 and eHealth. It is also driving innovation in over the
top communications under a new umbrella brand called TU and in Big Data
through Telefónica Dynamic Insights. Telefónica Digital will deliver
these new products and services to Telefónica’s 316 million customers
as well as entering new markets. It is headquartered in London with
regional centres in Silicon Valley, Sao Paulo, Spain and Tel Aviv.
Axismed, Eleven Paths, giffgaff, Jajah, Media Networks Latin America
and Terra are all managed under the Telefónica Digital umbrella.
To sign up for news alerts and read commentary on Telefónica Digital,
visit www.telefonica.com/digitalhub and track them on Twitter @tefdigital
For more information about m2m business, visit m2m.telefonica.com or follow on Twitter at @m2mtelefonica.

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
mobile broadband network, The Telstra Mobile Network offers 4G in all
capital CBDs and associated airports, many surrounding suburban areas
and in over 100 regional areas. You’ll automatically switch to our
fastest available 3G in other coverage areas around Australia. Check
coverage at telstra.com/coverage. 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, 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 753
million people. VimpelCom provides services under the “Beeline”,
“Kyivstar”, “djuice”, “WIND”, “Infostrada” “Mobilink”, “Leo”,
“banglalink”, “Telecel”, and “Djezzy” brands. As of September 30, 2013
VimpelCom had 219 million mobile subscribers on a combined basis.
VimpelCom is traded on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market under the symbol
(VIP). For more information visit: http://www.vimpelcom.com

About Etisalat
Strong commitment to excellence and innovation has seen Etisalat become
one of the world’s fastest-growing telecom groups, rapidly expanding
across Asia and Africa. Its UAE operations, strategically located at
the crossroads of East and West, enables Etisalat to be the major hub
in the Middle East for Internet, voice, broadcast, roaming and
corporate data services. Etisalat has been recognised as ‘Best
Operator’ 10 times since 2006 and ‘Best Wholesale Provider’ four times
in the last three years. Servicing 144 million customers in 15
countries Etisalat continues to reach out to new customers and markets.
For more information, www.etisalat.com

SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.