Singapore mobile phone companies make connections in Brazil
Singapore Mobile Companies Make Connections In Brazil
- MOI signed between Brazil and Singapore telco associations.
- Singapore participates for the first time ever at Futurecom 2009 in Brazil.
- Singapore-based companies Clearhub and Transfer ToTM clinch deals with
Brazil mobile operators following IE Singapore’s business mission last year; TIM Brazil to launch Clearhub’s ringEmail Push Email with Mobile Organizer service at Futurecom 2009.
Singapore firms in the telecommunications (telco) and wireless industry can look forward to closer ties with their Brazillian counterparts, as Mobile Alliance, Singapore’s industry association of leading mobile software companies, and Telecommunications Association of Brazil inked a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, today (1600hr, 13 October 2009, Sao Paulo time). Witnessed by Mr Yew Sung Pei, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the MOI was signed by Mr Kevin Chia, Vice-President of Mobile Alliance, Singapore, and Mr Roberto Aroso Cardoso, President of TELECOM, Telecommunications Association of Brasil. (Please refer to Annex 1 for information on Mobile Alliance and Telecommunications Association of Brasil)
The MOI follows the successful telco and wireless business mission to Brazil in October 2008 organised by IE Singapore. 15 business leads were generated for the six participating companies, a most encouraging result, considering that it was IE Singapore’s first mission for the telco and wireless industry to Brazil.
The MOI between the two organisations serves to:
- Facilitate key networking events such as Mobile World Congress and Futurecom for Brazilian and Singapore-based telco companies;
- Be a supporting platform for Singapore-based companies expanding to Braziland vice-versa;
- Explore joint research and development programmes and cross-countryimmersion with the support of relevant government agencies; and
- Engage in ongoing dialogue to drive development of the mobile sector in bothcountries.
Said Mr Chia, “This MOI is a valuable step forward to explore the telco sector in Brazil. We are confident that given our capabilities and experience in telco solutions and mobile services, our companies can complement the existing software available in the market.”
Mr Aroso added, “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Singapore delegation last year and view Singapore as an important growth engine in Southeast Asia, especially in the area of information communications technology. TELECOM and Mobile Alliance is a partnership that adds value to the telco business in Brazil and Singapore.”
Active mobile landscape in Brazil spells opportunities for Singapore
Singapore-based companies clinch deals with Brazil mobile operators
Besides the MOI that came to fruition as a result of the IE Singapore business mission last October, Singapore-based companies Clearhub Pte Ltd and Transfer ToTM also obtained business deals with Brazilian mobile operators after the trip.
Clearhub Pte Ltd, a preferred partner of innovative mobile communication applications for mass mobile phones, increasing productivity and impact through technology, obtained a business lead with TIM Brazil, a leading Brazilian mobile operator. This has now materialised into a business partnership, where TIM will be launching Clearhub’s ringEmail service1 to TIM’s approximate 37 million mobile subscribers, allowing them to stay connected through email while on the move with their mobile phone of choice. The launch will take place at Futurecom 2009. (More information on the company at http://www.clearhub.com/)
In addition, Singapore-based company Transfer To™, operator of a global airtime network interconnecting the mobile operators’ prepaid subscribers, has become the international airtime distributor of Brazilian mobile operators TIM Brazil, Oi and Claro following business leads obtained from the last mission. It signed and implemented a partnership agreement with RV Tecnologia e Sistemas this year, which will enable millions of Brazilians living abroad to top-up the prepaid mobile phones of their relatives back in Brazil. (More information on the company at http://transfer-to.com/) Futurecom 2009
The above MOI and contract were sealed while seven Singapore-based companies are currently in São Paulo for Futurecom 2009, the most important mobile services and telco event in Latin America. Held in the largest city in Brazil from 13 – 16 October 2009, the annual trade show cum seminar attracted over 200 exhibitors and 14,000 visitors from 42 countries in 20082 . Singapore is exhibiting for the very first time and will be showcasing various capabilities, from automated video editing software to push mail services on the mobile phone. (Please refer to Annex 2 for the list of participating companies)
Brazil is currently the fifth largest handset market in the world with more than 130 million subscribers3, it has been swift in extending various mobile value-added services (VAS) and is already conducting trials in mobile broadcasting via DVB-H in Rio de Janeiro. With mobile VAS revenues estimated to exceed US$9.3 billionby 20134, Brazil is a huge market for Singapore-based telco and wireless firms to tap.
Brazilian companies are keen to partner companies with innovative mobile applications and content that can help them extract revenue especially from the high-end market. These are what Singapore mobile players can offer. In addition, they can offer Brazil cost-effective infrastructure solutions and mobile services to reach out to rural regions. IE Singapore’s Overseas Centre in Brazil will help to identify potential business opportunities and link up like-minded Singapore companies to the Brazilian players.
Stated Mr Yew, “IE Singapore encourages Singapore-based companies to venture beyond traditional, easy-to-reach markets, and for the telco sector, Brazil is one such choice for expansion. A steady increase in discretionary income for middleclass Brazilians has led to escalated adoption of 3G services5. We hope that through participating in Futurecom, our companies can leverage that trend and embark on partnerships with Brazilian mobile operators, and even enter thirdcountry markets together.”
Currently, CrimsonLogic provides IT solutions to Panama’s Port Authority; SmartBridges has completed projects in rural connectivity for Peru, and Shiro’s consumer electronic products are distributed in Brazil, Argentina and Peru. iDirect provides VSAT equipment for Global Crossing in Brazil. Clearhub has also launched its ringEmail push email service with Movistar, a mobile operator in Chile.
Topics: Brazil, cell phone, economic development, Economy, Futurecom, memorandum of understanding, mobile, Mobile Alliance, mobile phone, mobile software, phones, Singapore, technology, telco, telecommunications
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