Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) (www.singtel.com) has launched a partner programme aimed at helping mobile solution developers to bring their products to market faster and at lower cost. Central to the S$2.3 million programme is an innovation centre which will provide developers with advanced IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) test-bed facilities and a proof of concept laboratory for testing their applications over a 3G/3.5G network.

Supported by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the partner programme brings together multinational corporations and local ICT companies in the mobile space to co-develop, test, and market mobile applications and contents to local markets and beyond. The MNCs are High Tech Computer Corporation, Microsoft, Nokia Forum, Motorola, Research in Motion (RIM), Sony Ericsson and Nokia-Siemens Network, while SingTel will provide access to network infrastructure as well as to its community of consumers across the region.

RADM(NS) Tay: IDA will support initiatives that create an environment of innovation and partnership.

Speaking at the launch, RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of IDA, noted that such strategic partnerships present many opportunities for innovation in mobile applications and contents. “For the local infocomm companies, they can generate their own intellectual property in products and services which will serve them well in the global market. For the consumers, the innovative products and services will certainly enhance their connectivity and mobility in the Digital Age,” he said.

“IDA would … be most happy to support similar initiatives by other operators and industry partners that would help create a vibrant and conducive environment for innovation and partnership to flourish,” added RADM(NS) Tay.

As part of its partner programme, SingTel will offer developers basic training and consultancy services at no charge, as well as data SIM cards and call traffic at discounted rates. Mobile devices are provided by SingTel’s partners for testing purposes at no cost, and an extensive range of online tools and resources will be made available to developers via a web portal which serves as a platform for sharing ideas and knowledge.

Members can participate in joint-marketing activities with SingTel and its regional partners including the Bridge Alliance, Asia Pacific’s leading mobile alliance. Participants of the programme will also be able to exhibit their solutions at SingTel’s annual enterprise innovation showcase and interact with the telco’s corporate customers at the event.

“At SingTel we have over 158 million customers and we have a very deep understanding of the needs of the people and the businesses we serve,” said Mr Allen Lew, SingTel’s CEO Singapore. “We will share these customer insights with our partners so that they can develop applications and services that fully utilise the capabilities of our mobile networks and devices.”

According to Ms Ong Geok Chwee, Director of Business Development at SingTel, the partner programme aims to engage more than 40 active mobile developers and commercialise at least 10 solutions over the next 24 months.

Mr James Loo, Chairman of the Wireless Chapter at Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation, said the programme will give local mobile application developers a big competitive edge. “My members not only benefit from reduced development costs at this new facility, they can also gain access to advanced pre-market mobile technologies from other companies participating in the programme. This will help them to get their own products developed, tested and ready for the market in a shorter time,” he said.