|
|
 |
ALCATEL GSM USERS GET ON-LINE
Paris,
23 February 1999 � Alcatel's One Touch(TM) POCKET will be the first
GSM mobile in the world to provide Internet services. It will be available
from March 26, 1999 from Cegetel, in a new bundled
package called "Les Uns � Les Autres". Alcatel and Cegetel have recently
completed successful trials of their new portfolio of mobile, on-line interactive
services with over 400 Cegetel customers.
The One Touch(TM) POCKET has
a unique large screen providing five lines of fifteen characters each.
Only these characteristics allow effective Internet readability.
This announcement follows the
October 1998 contract by which Alcatel has supplied Cegetel with a turnkey
mobile access to online interactive services. Alcatel designed and integrated
the network gateway, the HomeTop(TM) platform, as well as providing the
GSM phones. The Alcatel One Touch(TM) POCKET features a microbrowser that
provides easy and visual access to the proposed services.
The Alcatel/Cegetel service
allows, for example, the user to manage e-mail, their personal organiser,
to check their bank account or even a train timetable, book and pay for
airline tickets or seats at a concert. Additionally, through�push� technologies,
users can receive personalized on-screen information such as soccer results,
or share prices.
The platform, compatible with
WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) specifications has been designed to access
multiple dedicated servers that answer anytime to the specific needs of
the subscribers (i.e. e-mail, agenda, weather information, flight reservations,
etc�). This innovation paves the way to new and exciting services for the
mobile Internet market.
Alcatel had already seized
the initiative by developing the HomeTop(TM) platform for Mobile Internet
WAP services. WAP specifies the format of Internet-content as well as access
protocols to on-line services from mobile phones. The solution chosen by
Cegetel, based on WAP principles, will be the first large-scale commercial
offer in the GSM world.
This allows mobile operators
to propose new services to end-users in an easy to use and visual manner.
The principal characteristics
of the Internet Mobile Solution are:
-
A focus on end-user market needs
that correspond to the business concerns of mobile operators. This brings
true financial benefits;
-
Reliance on open interfaces to
ensure integration into existing networks while preparing for future evolutions.
The solution can also be customized, according to specific service requirements;
The main operator benefits of
this solution include increased and diversified revenues, drastic reduction
in churn (in mature markets, it has been proven that content-based data
services retain 100% of customers), high differentiation from competitors
as well as an attractive offering for high-value subscribers.
The arrival of Internet-like
content on mobile phones will change the business model of the mobile industry
(different market segmentation, different marketing approach�). Services
will be based more on content, less on communications. Alcatel Internet
Mobile Solution helps operators to better understand and prepare for future
multimedia mobile services and with the introduction of solutions such
as Alcatel's GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), will further enhance
the service capability of Internet-based mobile services.
Alcatel continues to demonstrate
its full commitment to provide operators with innovative end-to-end solutions
for convergent voice/data services. Furthermore the company also announced
the launch of an Internet compliant One Touch(TM) VIEW aimed specifically
at the mass market.
A world leader in telecommunications
systems and equipment as well as related cables and components activities,
Alcatel operates in over 130 countries. Alcatel provides complete
solutions and services to operators, service providers, enterprises and
consumers, ranging from backbone networks to user�s terminals.
Contacts:
[email protected]
|
