The GSMA has revealed that 17 mobile network operators (MNOs) have launched Mobile Connect services in 13 countries since Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014, with plans for additional launches and beta trials to follow throughout the course of 2015.
According to the GSMA, Etisalat Group focused mainly on Africa and has enabled Mobile Connect in eight markets, including: Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Tanzania. Additional markets include: Bangladesh by Robi, in China with China Mobile and China Unicom, in Indonesia with Indosat, Telkomsel and XL Axiata, in Malaysia with DiGi, and in Sri Lanka with Dialog Axiata and Mobitel.
The GSMA revealed that is intent on working closely with operators globally to support further Mobile Connect deployments. Operators committed to launch include Grameenphone (Bangladesh), Bouygues Telecom and Orange (France), Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone (Germany), Telecom Italia and Vodafone (Italy), Telenor (Pakistan), Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone (Spain), Swisscom (Switzerland) and Vodafone (UK).
According to Orange, it is also committed to launch the Mobile Connect service in Belgium, Poland, Romania and throughout the Orange footprint in the Middle East and Africa. Etisalat, Ooredoo, STC and Zain will work together to launch Mobile Connect throughout the Middle East and North Africa region and across their markets.
Orange is also expecting to put mobile internet within the reach of millions. Orange revealed, at MWC, the launch of a new digital offer across its African and Middle Eastern footprint. According to Orange, it will be launching the “Orange Klif” digital package for under 40 USD.
Darryl Linington
