Bridge Alliance



Asia Pacific’s leading Bridge Alliance launches one-flat data roaming rate across 11 territories

  • One-flat rate for easy-to-understand pricing across the region
  • Competitive rates provide up to 10 times more usage benefit
  • Choice of two capped usage monthly subscription plans
  • Subscription is straightforward – just add on to a local service plan
  • The alliance also launches a new brand identity, reinforcing its focus to serve customers roaming on the alliance network

 

(05 November 2007) Bridge Alliance, the leading mobile alliance in Asia Pacific announces the launch of its one-flat rate mobile data roaming(1) plan, ‘Bridge DataRoam’ across 11 territories in the region.

With ‘Bridge DataRoam’, customers have a choice of two capped usage monthly subscription plans - US$30 for 15MB (Bridge DataRoam15) or US$60 for 40MB (Bridge DataRoam40).  The one-flat rate is applicable when customers roam on the alliance’s 11 member operator networks, namely: Airtel (India), AIS (Thailand), CSL (Hong Kong), CTM (Macau), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Maxis (Malaysia), SK Telecom (Korea), SingTel Mobile (Singapore), SingTel Optus (Australia), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

Bridge DataRoam15 and Bridge DataRoam40 can be used for both Blackberry and general mobile data roaming, customers can subscribe to either plan depending on their data roaming usage requirement.         

Currently, different operators are charging different data roaming rates across the Asia Pacific territories and it is sometimes confusing for the customers.  Some customers may have even experienced “bill shock” when they used data roaming to access their emails or perform downloads from the mobile internet when they travel overseas and across multiple territories.  Bridge DataRoam’s one-flat rate across 11 territories not only provides an easy-to-understand pricing, it is competitively priced and its capped usage plans provide the best value of up to 10 times(2) more usage benefits.   Customers can now subscribe to a Bridge DataRoam plan before they travel and they know exactly how much to pay for their data roaming.  

The bundled capped usage of 15MB and 40MB are catered for the mid to heavy data users.  As an indication, 15MB and 40MB can provide up to 300(3) emails or 1500(3) WAP pages, and 800(3) emails or 4000(3) WAP pages downloads respectively.   Frequent business travellers and regional enterprises can now effectively manage and control their data roaming expenses with Bridge DataRoam.  

Subscription is straightforward, customers can simply add on to their local service plan by signing up with their respective local member operator.  Bridge DataRoam will be available for subscription from the month of November(4), from its 10 participating member operators, namely: Airtel (India), AIS (Thailand), CSL (Hong Kong), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Maxis (Malaysia), SK Telecom (Korea), SingTel Mobile (Singapore), SingTel Optus (Australia), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

“We are delighted to announce the launch of Bridge DataRoam across our alliance network.  This is a ground-breaking initiative that exemplifies the value that Bridge Alliance offer to our customers,” says Ms Mary Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Mobile, at the Bridge DataRoam launch event today.

“We are the leading mobile alliance with the widest footprint in Asia Pacific, providing seamless connectivity on tier-one quality networks of our member operators.  In addition, we have now introduced a product that delivers tangible value to our customers: a truly seamless experience of one-flat data roaming rate across the region.  Whether you are a current data roaming user or new user, Bridge DataRoam is your travel essential,” she adds.

Also at the launch event, the alliance unveiled a new brand identity, announcing the change of its previous name from Bridge Mobile Alliance to Bridge Alliance and introducing its new logo.

Launching the alliance’s new brand identity, Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of Bridge Alliance says, “The re-branding to Bridge Alliance and the introduction of a new logo marks the start of a new phase in the growth of the alliance.    Going forward, Bridge Alliance will further strengthen its focus on serving the telecommunications needs of both business and leisure travellers across the region.  We believe that with the new brand image, customers will better associate and recognize the value that Bridge Alliance can offer to them.”

“Bridge DataRoam is a service that brings to life the brand promise of seamlessness and straightforward services to help our customers stay one step ahead of their busy lives.  Bridge DataRoam is priced at a level that will bring about a sense of "peace of mind" when our customers access their emails and other data services while travelling in the region.   In line with our focus to serve the needs of travellers, Bridge Alliance will continue to develop innovative solutions and to deliver more value-added regional offers to enhance our customers’ travel experience when they are on Bridge Alliance's network.” Mr Lim adds.

Beyond the 11 territories covered by Bridge DataRoam, the alliance will also seek other collaborations to extend the roaming coverage to more territories for its Bridge DataRoam users.

(1) Mobile data refers to GSM and WCDMA packet data technology standards such as GPRS and HSDPA. Users would use mobile data roaming when they access their mobile emails or surf the mobile internet when they are traveling overseas.

(2) Vary from country to country; it refers to the amount of usage benefits (MB) offered by Bridge DataRoam, compared to current and other service providers’ data roaming rates.

 (3) Based on the assumption of 50 kilobytes per email and 10 kilobytes per WAP page.

(4) Customers need to check with their respective local Bridge Alliance member operator on the actual service availability dates in November. CSL (Hong Kong) and SK Telecom (Korea)’s service availability are from December 2007, and SingTel Optus (Australia)’s service availability is to be further advised in 2008.

 


About Bridge Alliance

Established in November 2004, Bridge Alliance is Asia Pacific's largest and leading mobile alliance group.  The alliance is a current partnership of eleven leading mobile operators, namely, Airtel (India), AIS (Thailand), CSL (Hong Kong), CTM (Macau), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Maxis (Malaysia), SingTel Mobile (Singapore), SingTel Optus (Australia), SK Telecom (Korea), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

With an extensive footprint across Asia Pacific, Bridge Alliance provides seamless connectivity and straightforward services to customers roaming on the alliance network.

With a combined customer base of over 175 million and a shared infrastructure, Bridge Alliance offers significant commercial benefits to its alliance members and partners.  Through close collaboration, members leverage on the collective strengths of the alliance to develop innovative solutions for the Asia Pacific markets.

Bridge Alliance operates through a Singapore-incorporated joint venture company, Bridge Mobile Pte Ltd.

 

This news release is disseminated on behalf of Bridge Alliance by MRA Communications.  For media enquires, please contact:

Ms KOH Wan Yin
Account Manager, MRA Communications
Telephone: +65 6338 6780
Email: wanyin.koh@mra-asia.com


Members of Bridge Alliance

  Bharti Airtel Limited, incorporated in July 1995, is one of India’s leading telecommunications conglomerates. Bharti Airtel Limited provides end-to-end telecommunications solutions across the entire value chain under the Airtel brand name.
     
 

Established in 1989, Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited or AIS is an affiliation of Shin Corporation, under the business segment of Wireless Communications.  AIS is the first mobile phone service operator in the 900MHz frequency range utilizing Digital GSM systems, and is today the largest mobile operator serving more than 20 million subscribers in Thailand.  
     
 

CSL launches its mobile services in early 1983 and today operates a world-class GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) / WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) networks.  It also offers comprehensive prepaid mobile and international roaming services with the widest coverage that encompasses 260 destinations around the world.
     
 

Formed in October 1981, Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) is a joint venture of international telecommunications giants, Cable and Wireless and Portugal Telecom, as well as, CITIC Pacific and Macao Post.

     
 

Globe Telecom is the pioneer in GSM digital cellular technology in Philippines. Today, it is one of the leading providers of wireless communications services in the country, with an ever-growing national and international network of roaming destinations.
     
 

Maxis is Malaysia’s premier telecommunications company and market leader, providing high-quality voice and data services to its customers.  Its mobile postpaid and prepaid services are offered under the Maxis and Hotlink brands respectively.
     
 

Serving more than six million customers daily, Optus is the leader in integrated communications in Australia.  Since commencing operations in 1992, Optus has built an advanced technology platform that allows it to deliver communication, information and entertainment services across the country.
     
 

SingTel Mobile is the mobile telecommunications arm of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel).  SingTel is Asia’s leading communications group with operations and investments around the world.  Serving both the consumer and corporate markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications to customers in Asia Pacific and beyond.
     
 

Established since 1984, SK Telecom is Korea's number one mobile communications company, is committed to becoming a major global player in information and communication.  SK Telecom was also the first in the world to commercialize HSDPA in May 2006 and open the way for the age of video calling.
     
 

Founded in 1997, Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. is the premier mobile communications service provider in Taiwan.  Taiwan Mobile has a respective 92 per cent and 85 per cent stake in regional operators TransAsia Telecom and Mobitai Communications.
     
 

Over the past decade, Telkomsel has grown to become the leading provider of cellular services in Indonesia with over 30 million subscribers, servicing more than 50 per cent of the country’s mobile market.
     

 
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