Mobile communications services company, IMC has launched a GSM wireless network in Iceland. IMC's wholly owned Iceland subsidiary, IMC Island ehf, is the fourth operator in Iceland to offer GSM wireless service. IMC Island has already negotiated bilateral roaming agreements with over 100 wireless network operators around the world under the brand Viking Wireless.
The network launch in Akureyri fulfills the initial GSM license requirement in Iceland and activates these international roaming agreements. As a result, IMC's U.S. customers will have access to expanded wireless applications and lower airtime pricing for wireless communications services while traveling internationally.
IMC is establishing the first global platform for seamless international roaming through its GSM infrastructure in Iceland and a cross protocol platform, which solves the limited global roaming solutions that exist today. Prior to the Iceland network launch, IMC's wireless services subsidiary, WorldCell, was solely a reseller of wireless services through other carrier roaming solutions.
The official first call on the Viking Wireless network occurred yesterday. Akureyri Mayor Kristjan Thor Juliusson placed the call to Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan in Montgomery County, Maryland where IMC is headquartered.
"The Viking Wireless network launch in Iceland is a significant step in IMC's strategy to continue to provide renters of our WorldCell phones with the best service possible and lowest rates," said S. Blake Swensrud, CEO of IMC. "When the network went live for the first time, IMC officially transitioned from a reseller of wireless services to a carrier of our own services using our own network. This translates into us having increased control over the features and capabilities we offer to our customers, and an ability to offer expanded services, at lower rates."
Using IMC's Iceland operations as a Roaming Service Bureau (RSB), USA based service providers will be able to offer seamless global roaming without having to negotiate individually with numerous international wireless operators around the world. IMC handles the signal and number conversion, order processing, phone rental and billing among other details.'"
Posted to the site on 19th September 2002
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/7586.php