Leading Portuguese operator selects LogicaCMG to offer subscribers advanced mobile instant messaging and presence

LogicaCMG is announcing a deal to enable Portugal’s leading mobile operator, TMN, to launch its ‘Super SMS’ service. The Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) and presence platform elements of the service will be powered by Colibria’s IMPS based Mobile IM solution.

‘Super SMS’ will evolve TMN’s existing SMS services, allowing subscribers to take advantage of richer and immediate group communications with their friends. In addition to MIM, the service is presence enabled, providing information on the user’s mood, location and availability. This new-generation of mobile messaging is the first step towards fully converged IP-based messaging for the operator.

Colibria’s technology was chosen in partnership as part of LogicaCMG’s intuitive messaging portfolio as it supports an increasingly rich multimedia user experience as well as integrating with successful legacy messaging services such as SMS. Colibria’s solution will also allow mobile IM to interwork with PC IM clients.

LogicaCMG Telecoms Products today announces that it has been selected by TMN, Portugal’s leading mobile operator, to launch its Super SMS service, enhancing current messaging services with instant messaging (IM) and presence features. TMN will be able to offer messaging services to both mobile and PC users, taking a first step towards an all-IP messaging platform. LogicaCMG recently announced the sale of its Telecoms Products business to a consortium of private equity buyers, subject to employee consultation and regulatory approval. Once the transaction closes the Telecoms Products business will trade under the new brand, Acision (www.acision.com).

LogicaCMG’s intuitive messaging technology provides subscribers an advanced messaging experience, by making it dialogue based and including the ability to send pictures, audio and media clips from phone-to-phone and phone-to-PC.

With 5.7 million subscribers across Portugal, TMN is looking to LogicaCMG’s intuitive messaging portfolio to position itself at the forefront of converged messaging. The launch of Super SMS is considered as a stepping stone in this direction, and supports the GSMA’s initiative to roll out carrier independent personal IM. TMN is benefiting from LogicaCMG’s messaging expertise, bridging today’s SMS, MMS and voicemail messaging services with tomorrow’s IMS-based applications.

In 2006 Ovum predicted that IM would be key to the continued growth of mobile messaging over the next few years. Reflecting this, LogicaCMG’s intuitive messaging solutions are designed not to replace but enhance and complement existing services (like SMS) as subscribers move from one-way to conversational text messaging, the first real step towards fully converged IP-based messaging.

LogicaCMG delivered an end-to-end solution in conjunction with partners from the COMET (COnverged MEssaging Technology) initiative, mobile instant messaging and presence (IMPS) software vendor Colibria and mobile client technology vendor Movial.

Filomena Pereira, responsible for SMS at TMN said, “TMN chose LogicaCMG because of its in-depth market knowledge of the capabilities and delivery of advanced messaging solutions. Our customers can now enjoy a superior messaging experience, enhanced with the interactivity they expect from instant messaging technology. Working with LogicaCMG, our long term messaging partner and a respected leader in the intuitive messaging field, TMN is well positioned to develop messaging further, into advanced IP and IMS platforms.”

Roel Dekker, Senior Vice-President at LogicaCMG Telecoms Products, added: “Through mobile and fixed IM, operators can offer a superior messaging experience to their users and generate increased ARPU through heightened network traffic. LogicaCMG’s intuitive messaging solutions allow full interconnectivity between global SMS, MMS and IMS environments, supporting strategies from operators such as TMN to offer an enhanced converged messaging service. Our reputation as a global messaging expert means that operators know they can trust us to deliver cutting edge solutions.”

Keith Gibson, CEO, Colibria, commented, “The launch of TMN’s next-generation messaging services positions it as one of the most forward thinking operators in Europe. Colibria's IMPS based Mobile IM solution has been integrated into LogicaCMG’s messaging proposition because it offers the broadest range of functionality combined with the flexibility to integrate with existing messaging services. Presence based mobile messaging allows users to take their text based communications to the next natural stage - a more interactive and immediate messaging experience.”

Source: Colibria