Two Join Up to Promote Roaming Services

Teleglobe and Comfone have jointly announced their intention to co-operate to develop and launch a set of advanced roaming services running over their combined and globally extensive signaling networks.

"Canadian based Teleglobe and Swiss based Comfone's innovative Global Roaming Expertise presents our companies with a unique opportunity to generate the next generation of roaming services." said Serge Fortin, Chief Operating Officer of Teleglobe. Walter Heutschi, President of Comfone added, "We believe mobile operators are looking for new customer services and new revenue streams. Teleglobe and Comfone are aiming to address this need."

Teleglobe, in partnership with Comfone, is one of the first telecommunications companies to offer international global roaming services designed for mobile carriers offering roaming to and from North America. Together, Teleglobe and Comfone serve more than 325 mobile operators worldwide with international roaming. The companies recognize that growing global roaming market opportunities will demand a new suite of advanced services.

According to The Yankee Group's Keith Mallinson, Executive Vice President Mobile/Mobile Research & Consulting, the global roaming market is substantial and will continue to experience healthy growth as subscriber numbers and minutes of use per subscriber around the world continue to increase. As well he notes that services demanded of GSM providers will change as voice is now being supplemented by data roaming, as customers demand SMS, MMS and browser access across current and next-generation networks abroad as well as at home.

"Cross-border roaming accounts for as much as 5% of mobile carrier revenue in many nations, some achieve more than 15% of their revenue from the Roaming business "said Mr. Mallinson. "Carriers have made building good radio coverage in places such as airports and ski resorts a high priority, so as to capture the roamers and then benefit from their heavy use."

Teleglobe and Comfone indicated that their intention to co-operate to develop new advanced global roaming services is only the first step in what they see as a stronger, more innovative relationship."

Posted to the site on 17th April 2003