MSN®, the network of Internet services and the world’s most popular destination on the Web, and SingTel Mobile, the largest telecommunications player in Singapore, today officially launched a major domestic strategic mobile services alliance.

As a result, MSN and SingTel Mobile’s customers will be able to access their MSN Hotmail® accounts via two-way short message service (SMS) With this service, users of MSN Hotmail on the move will have the option to receive e-mail sent to their MSN Hotmail accounts by SMS on their mobile phones. They will also be able to reply to those e-mail messages directly to the sender’s inbox via SMS as well as perform other common tasks directly from their phone. The service is powered in part by Mobileway, a global leader in managing and monetizing mobile transactions. 

Under the terms of the alliance, SingTel Mobile’s customers will be the first company in Singapore to enjoy MSN’s interactive mobile services via two-way SMS. Customers who sign up to this service will be charged $0.30 for each SMS received and $0.15 for each SMS sent. The pricing plan is expected to drive considerable take-up given the convenience the service offers to customers. 

The alliance with SingTel Mobile is the first SMS deal MSN has announced in Singapore and is part of the MSN global strategy to provide mobile consumers with its best-of-breed services, such as MSN Hotmail and relevant integrated MSN features, through a reliable link to the wireless Web. The announced alliance follows the recent release of MSN Mobile 4.0, the latest version of MSN Mobile’s platform that delivers customisable communications services to interactive pagers, mobile phones and handheld devices. MSN Hotmail is the world’s most popular free Web-based e-mail service and has more than 110 million users worldwide, with nearly 1 million users in Singapore alone.

“Mobility, flexibility and connectivity is central to Singaporeans’ lives today, and with this alliance we are extending our capability to offer mobile carriers to provide their consumers with access to MSN Hotmail anywhere in the world,” said Vincent Sim, Head of Marketing, Singapore/Malaysia, MSN.

“The statistics for the market also support our initiative. There are few places in the world where 150 million SMSs are sent a month, and where SMS has become so much a necessary part of people’s lives. Tremendous opportunities definitely exist in this market,” he added. 

“With MSN communications services in enormous demand, this alliance also makes these services readily available to people on the move. Consumers want the ability to make the most of their PC-based communications services any time, any place and on any device. With Mobileway, we have created the opportunity with SingTel Mobile to offer a joint value-proposition to our customers.” 

Mr Philip Wu, SingTel’s Director (Product Marketing) said: “Our customers will benefit from this timely partnership that combines the familiar use of SMS with MSN’s popular Hotmail service. We will monitor the market and review the service to ensure that it continues to meet our customers’ expectations. SingTel is happy to again be the first to provide our customers with the latest services that will allow them to be in touch anytime, anywhere.”

“We are pleased and excited to be part of this important milestone deal with SingTel and MSN Hotmail. The confidence that SingTel Mobile demonstrated in deploying the MSN Mobile service with Mobileway further shows our capability for point-to-point secured delivery and our abilities to monetize mobile transactions. Mobileway is keen to be a key partner in being able to bolster SingTel’s leading position in Singapore as well as regionally, providing value-added SMS-based services to suit differing customer lifestyles,” said Cyrille Even, General Manager and Vice President of Mobileway Asia Pacific.

About MSN 
MSN is more useful every day, offering content and services that appeal to people on a personal level. With more than 270 million visitors per month, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 34 markets and in 18 languages - a broader global presence than any other portal. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at www.msn.com.hk (Hong Kong); www.msn.com.tw (Taiwan); www.msn.com.sg (Singapore); www.msn.com.my (Malaysia); www.msn.co.kr (Korea); www.msn.co.in (India) and www.msn.co.jp (Japan) takes advantage of the Microsoft .NET platform to offer leading services, any time, any place and on any device, with the most integrated and personalized user experience for Asian Internet surfers for communications, search, shopping, personal finance and entertainment. The best-of-breed services include the MSN Hotmail Web-based e-mail service, the world’s largest e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, the world's no. 1 instant messaging system on the Web; MSN Search, one of the world’s most popular online search service; and MSN Communities, the easy way to share information on the Web.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — 
any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, MSN and Hotmail are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

About SingTel
SingTel is Asia’s leading communications company with a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms. Serving both the corporate and residential markets, SingTel is committed to bringing the best of global communications to its customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond.

SingTel has extensive interests in submarine cable and satellite systems, including its co-owned ST-1 satellite and the pan-Asian C2C cable network. Its infrastructure development strategy is to ensure that its networks remain modern and efficient, and continue to meet the needs of its customers.

The SingTel Group has expanded into overseas markets, with investments in many countries and territories. In Australia, its wholly-owned subsidiary, SingTel Optus is a leader in integrated communications -- serving more than five million customers. The Group’s major investments include Advanced Info Service of Thailand, the Bharti Telecom Group of India, Globe Telecom of the Philippines and Telkomsel of Indonesia.

SingTel’s turnover for the year ended 31 March 2002 was S$7.34 billion. More information can be found @ www.singtel.com.

About Mobileway
Mobileway is the leader in managing & monetizing mobile transactions across the globe. With direct connections to 88 mobile carriers, Mobileway has unrivalled reach to 90% of mobile users throughout the World, guaranteeing cost effective, secure deployment of mobile applications to professional and personal mobile users. 

By expanding the reach of lifestyle services such as instant messaging, infotainment, mobile marketing, m-commerce and enterprise applications, Mobileway increases the value of mobile data for operators, content providers and corporations alike. 

Incorporated in Delaware USA, Mobileway has offices located throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.Mobileway.com.


For media enquiries, please contact:

Octagon RTA
231B River Valley Road, Singapore 238289.
Tel: 737-2088, Fax: 735-7933.

Contact persons
Ms Tracy Lui Email: tracy.lui@octagon.com 
Ms Karen Kwek Email: karen.kwek@octagon.com  

Issued by Octagon RTA for and on behalf of MSN Singapore on 21st August 2002.

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