MEDIA RELEASE PR36369
MTN Partners With IMImobile in a Major Deal to Bring Mobile and Online Content to 103 Million Users
HYDERABAD and JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Millions of mobile and online content users across Africa and the Middle East will reap the benefits of a landmark
tie-up between MTN and IMImobile - an India-based software and managed services provider linked to 350 content
providers worldwide.
The two companies have teamed up in a bold move to address the growing demand for content in emerging
markets. This strategic partnership will entail providing MTN's 21 markets access to a repository of current and
globally popular content through enhanced delivery platforms. Content categories will include music (with local and
international flavour), sports, games, entertainment, news and much more."
It will also enable MTN to launch new income-generating voice and data services across its global footprint, with
revenues from mobile content and services estimated at around US$150.2 billion in 2011, up from US$89,3 billion
in 2006, worldwide.
One of MTN's new content streams will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) of which the mobile operator has
exclusive global mobile content rights. Accordingly, MTN will leverage its IMImobile partnership to deliver exclusive
2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) content on subscribers' handsets, including soccer match news, fixtures, match results
as well as team and group profiles.
The appointment of IMImobile as a strategic managed services and hosting partner follows an extensive review
of MTN's mobile content and media services landscape across its global footprint.
MTN is now aligning its mobile content and media services strategy across its 21 markets in Africa and the
Middle East to standardize and enhance its media content offerings to its subscribers.
MTN also wants to capitalize on the rapidly converging data content and voice market, with Africa, the Middle
East and Latin America poised to witness the highest growth in revenue as additional mobile data services are
being deployed in these regions.
Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Corporate Affairs Executive, says IMImobile was selected from a group of
major global telecom software and service providers because of the scalability of its technology platforms and
proven managed services business model.
"IMImobile's value proposition and technology solutions will enable MTN to reduce the time-to-market for new
services, boost Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and keep MTN at the forefront of innovative services.
"We have found a partner in IMImobile that has the insight and expertise of the appropriate managed service
business model and technology solution necessary to continue to deliver premium content and services to our
customers," said January-Bardill.
MTN has already introduced a number of exciting products and services on its portal and on
archived to allow football fans to re-live the moment long after the games.
IMI mobile will deploy its Service Delivery Platform (SDP), including its industry leading DaVinci Content
Management System (CMS). The content strategy includes tailoring content for local consumer preferences,
including French and Arabic as well as exploiting MTN's sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) through
Vishwanath Alluri, Founder and CEO of IMImobile said: "This is a major commercial milestone for IMImobile as
we continue to build our offering to support leading operators worldwide. To be chosen by MTN as their strategic
partner ahead of a strong list of competitors is testament to our unique service which is based on industry leading
technology platforms, content management expertise, a managed services and SaaS business model combined
with 24/7 technical support and strict SLA compliance. We are excited by the opportunity and are looking forward to
helping MTN achieve its objectives of creating substantial additional revenue streams."
Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs
ABOUT THE MTN GROUP
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in
Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under
the share code: "MTN". As at 30 June 2009, MTN recorded 103,2 million subscribers across its operations in
Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran,
Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda,
Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM) and has
exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit http://www.mtn.com and
ABOUT IMImobile
IMImobile is a leading provider of converged mobile and online technology platforms and content services to
mobile operators and media companies around the world. The IMImobile product portfolio includes a core service
delivery platform (DaVinci SDP), mobile advertising platform (Ad-Ring(TM)), carrier grade messaging platforms and
gateways, applications for data services, full track music download services and voice platforms. Customers
include leading operators and media companies such as Airtel, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Google, Reuters and
Yahoo!. IMImobile is a profitable fast growing company with operations in 40 countries and offices in Asia, Europe,
Note to Editors:
The 16 countries IMImobile will be deploying its full CMS across are: Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Republic of Congo
(Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic
Conakry, Liberia, Afghanistan, Syria, Cyprus and Yemen.
IMImobile will directly connect its central platform in London to the existing CMS platforms of the following 5
countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Iran and Sudan
IMImobile contacts:
Eleanor Filgate or K Simon at Babel PR
T. +44(0)20-7434-5550
M. +44-7500-038-458
E. imimobile@babelpr.com
MTN Group contacts:
Maphamola Lebelo
MTN Group Communications
Mobile: +27-83-212-9918
Email: Lebelo_m@mtn.co.za
SOURCE: IMImobile
Translations:
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