New offers and innovative handsets presented at the Paris dealer Convention
Telecom Italia world’s first launch of “SUPER SMS” for mobile phones and computers
TIM eliminates top-up costs
Ultra high-speed 3.6 mbit/s mobile Internet launched
Telecom Italia is the world’s first tlc company to roll out Super SMS, an instant messaging service that runs on both mobile phones and PCs. The announcement was made by the company at a convention of its sales force held in Paris, during which upcoming commercial offers and new cellphones were presented.
The dealer response to the new products was particularly significant, proof of the strong loyalty towards the company. At the end of the meeting, orders for over 3 million terminals were received, of which more than 1 million innovative UMTS/hi-speed handsets. It is a record result compared with previous meetings: in particular in the last 2 (October 2005, May 2006) orders received totaled 2.2 million and 2.5 million respectively. This important result strengthens Telecom Italia’s leadership on the domestic market of mobile phones sold directly by mobile telephony operators, reaching a market share of approximately 60%.
The new offers presented in Paris
Super SMS – a Telecom Italia world first – launch in November under the “Alice Messenger” brand name. The service works just like fixed-line instant messaging on PCs connected via dial-up or broadband. Just like on a PC, a notice pops up on the mobile phone screen to show when somebody on the user’s contact list comes online. Users can write messages and reply in real-time, rather than wait to send or receive e-mail messages.
The service is available to all customers with a PC who have an ALICE MAIL e-mail address, and to all TIM mobile phones. Super SMS is free of charge for the rest of the year.
From November, TIM is rolling out a range of new “Alice Messenger”-equipped mobile to foster rapid take-up of this new service. The phone display automatically shows when contacts come online and allow real-time text messaging. The initial array of super SMS-enabled phones on sale includes the Nokia 5300, Nokia 6151, Sony Ericsson 2610i and Sony Ericsson W300i. Existing phones may also be upgraded to “Alice Messenger” via free SMS messages directly sent by TIM to the phones of customers who request the new service. The software ensures message confidentiality by only allowing messages to be exchanged with people on the contact list.
Alice Messenger is a joint venture between TIM and the GSM Association, which brings together all mobile carriers and promotes the development of cross-platform instant messaging services for fixed-line and mobile phones.
TIM eliminates top-up charges
From today TIM launches a special offer for the ‘Tribu’ clients which eliminates top-up charges. After a one-off payment of 5 euro, customers can sign up for the new “TIM Tribù” option as part of a special free offer that runs until the end of the year. Under the offer, customers can use the entire top up amount to make calls and send text messages.
When customers activate the new “TIM Tribù” option and purchase a top-up they receive a voice and text message traffic bonus worth the amount of the top-up charge. For example, the usual 5 euro charge for a 50 euro top-up is converted into 5 euros worth of phone calls or text messages to all customers who have signed up to the same offer. The same applies to all top-up amounts and channels, including ATM or credit card payments. This new offer is a direct response to market demand for call cost rationalization and more transparent charges.
TIM was the first phone company in the world to launch recharge cards back in 1996. Now, TIM is the first company in Italy to launch a top-up system that gives customers the full value of the phone traffic they have purchased.
By the end of June 2006, TIM supplied 30.4 million mobile lines. The company continues to innovate the number of ways people can top up (through points of sale outlets and ATMs) around the clock and dispense top-ups of practically unlimited amounts.
TIM’s HI-Speed UMTS accelerates to 3.6 Mbit/s, twice as fast as the fastest speed currently available
TIM is the first mobile company in Italy to boost UMTS speeds to 3.6 Mbit/s, the highest mobile internet speed on the Italian market
This 3G network upgrade meets Telecom Italia’s previously-announced strategic and technological target. High speed UMTS has been rolled out in Italy’s largest cities in May 2006. Network coverage is being extended through the upgrade of UMTS antennas, and by the end of the year will reach an estimated 48% of the population.
High Speed UMTS allows Italian phone users to access multimedia content including films, music and sport, and download higher quality images than over current UMTS connections.
In November, TIM will start selling next-generation mobile phones and PC Cards capable of 3.6 Mbit/s connections to the web under the “TIM UMTS HI-Speed” brand. These handsets offer connection speeds that rival fixed-line broadband. The first products to go on sale include the Motorola V3xx, Brionvega N7100 (which also comes with DVB-H), and the Onda M1 HS PC Card. To these, three models Hi-Speed at 1.8 mega have been added: Samsung SGH-P930, Samsung Ultra 12.9 Z630 and Samsung 11.8 Z620.
All TIM lines (residential and corporate) are automatically being upgraded to the higher speed. Customers do not need to exchange their SIM cards.
The new mobile handsets will go on sale at customer-friendly prices, starting from 99 euros on “Tutto Relax” packages which include free bonus internet traffic. Hi-Speed UMTS PC Cards will also be on sale under the Tutto Relax Internet promotion from 49 euros up with monthly installments inclusive of internet traffic.
Rome, October 23, 2006