3 Italy Launches IM Platform

Hutchison 3G Italy has selected NeuStar's Next Generation Messaging Services for mobile instant messaging (IM) in Italy. NeuStar's IMSC (IM Service Centre) and MMG (Mobile Messaging Gateway) will allow 3 Italia subscribers to see whether their Windows Live Messenger and 3 Italia IM "buddies" are online, and to communicate with them in real time.

Windows Live Messenger members will experience a similar look and feel to Messenger on their video phones, and will be able to chat with other Windows Live Messenger members anytime, anywhere through the NeuStar MMG. 3 Italia subscribers also will be able to enjoy a seamless SMS experience with real-time presence-enabled messaging using 3 Italia's own IM service through the NeuStar IMSC.

"This generation's mobile subscribers are frequent IM users," said Simon Brown, general manager of NeuStar's Next Generation Messaging Services. "Mobile IM frees up communications and enables users to stay connected and logged on wherever they are. NeuStar's advanced interoperable Mobile IM services combine the best of both worlds, and our customers envisage it to be as popular as SMS, as well as a key revenue generator."

The Mobile World subscriber database estimates that Hutchison 3G Italy ended Q3 '06 with a shade over 7 million customers - representing a market share of 9.15%."

Posted to the site on 27th February 2007