Mobile providers

Rogers Wireless launches Nokia 668RVI "Talking Cellphone" for customers with vision loss

Nokia 6682

Rogers Wireless today announced the launch of the Nokia 6682RVI, equipped with screen reading software to make it accessible for customers with vision loss.

The Nokia 6682RVI, equipped with Nuance TALKS(TM) software from Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN) gives consumers with vision loss equal and independent access to many of today's advanced wireless features and services. Nuance TALKS essentially turns the Nokia 6682RVI handset into a "talking phone" by converting menus, instructions and content displayed on the screen into audio output through its internal speaker, or an optional wired or Bluetooth headset.

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced that the aggregate number of mobile subscribers in the region, including its associates, has increased to 124 million as at 31 March 2007. This is the largest mobile customer base in Asia outside of China.

Compared to a year ago, the combined mobile subscriber base of SingTel, SingTel Optus and the Group’s five regional associates grew 46 per cent or by 39 million subscribers.

Compared to the previous quarter, the growth was 12 million customers. It marks the fourth consecutive quarter that the number of regional mobile subscribers has increased at a record pace.

On a proportionate to shareholding basis, SingTel’s subscriber base in the seven markets – Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – increased 38 per cent from a year ago to 46 million.

Among the associates, Bharti and Telkomsel again posted the largest subscriber growth rates.

PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – Monday, April 16, 2007: Digicel, the fastest-growing mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Latin American market, today announced that it has been awarded a license to operate a GSM network in Suriname, extending Digicel’s seamless international mobile network and competitive offerings to 23 markets.

The new license comes as a result of the liberalization process of the telecommunication market in Suriname, which started four years ago by the Government of Suriname with the drafting of the New Telecommunication Provisions Act. This Act comes into effect on April 16, 2007. With a population of close to 500,000 Suriname’s mobile penetration is estimated at just over 40%.

His Excellency Drs. M.S.H. Hassankhan, Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Tourism, welcomed Digicel to Suriname stating, “We are entering an exciting new era in telecommunications in Suriname bringing more advanced services at more competitive prices and allowing more people than ever before to access mobile technology.