HONG KONG, Sept.15, 2003 - Today five Asian telecommunications companies joined the collaborative efforts initiated by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and Intel Corporation to solve the challenges of roaming between wireless hotspots. The multi-country and cross-industry initiative will work towards developing standards for global seamless connectivity...
Singapore, 15 September 2003 | For Immediate Release
Focus on One-bill Roaming and Global Roaming Standards
HONG KONG, Sept.15, 2003 - Today five Asian telecommunications companies joined the collaborative efforts initiated by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and Intel Corporation to solve the challenges of roaming between wireless hotspots. The multi-country and cross-industry initiative will work towards developing standards for global seamless connectivity.
"Asian companies are leading the charge in making it easier for users to roam across different networks making Wi-Fi more convenient and easier to use," said Sean Maloney, Executive Vice President at Intel. "Once we also start solving the challenges like one-bill roaming, using Wi-Fi worldwide has the chance to become as easy as making a mobile phone call."
Companies joining the interworking initiative are China Mobile (China), MobileOne, SingTel and StarHub (Singapore), and PCCW (Hong Kong).
"Such broad industry support illustrates the confidence that Wi-Fi can be the telecommunications engine for growth," said Maloney.
"IDA and Intel welcome this group of carriers to the initiative," said Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive, Infocomm Development Group, IDA. "This is an important collaboration that will spur increased roaming traffic, which in turn creates greater opportunities for businesses and greater access choice for consumers and enterprise users."
The announcement marks the second phase of the IDA-Intel Wireless Hotspots and Network Interworking Initiative that was first announced in March this year. Since then Intel and IDA have conducted a study to prioritize the key business and technical challenges faced by telecommunications operators when adopting Wi-Fi technology. Key findings included the necessity of one-bill roaming for their business models and standard architectures for network build-out.
Participants in the initiative will supply the interoperable hardware, software, and services to help solve these problems. At completion of the trial in July 2004, the group will submit their findings and recommendations to relevant global industry standards bodies.
"With the strengths of each participant, and taking advantage of Singapore as the hub of the interworking initiative, we are confident that the initiative will result in a set of standards that will drive all major wireless and wireline roaming activities in the long term," said Mr Khoong.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/
About Intel
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
For media clarification, please contact:
Contacts for IDA:
Ms Ho Hwei Ling (in Hong Kong)
Senior Manager, Corporate Communication
DID: +65-6211-1996
Email: ho_hwei_ling@imda.gov.sg
Ms Angeline Low (in Singapore)
Senior Manager, Corporate Communication
DID: +65-6211-0917
Email: angeline_low@imda.gov.sg
Contact for Intel:
Ms Stephanie SILVESTER
Regional PR Manager
DID: +852-2240-3721
Mobile: +852-9768-2407
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