Schlumberger USSD-GW trial for Rugby World Cup 2003
Posted: 16 November 2003
Schlumberger and Interacct Solutions working with Telstra
in USSD Services trial
The telecom software products unit of Schlumberger Limited, today
announced the successful launch of a major USSD-GW (or Unstructured
Supplementary Services Data Gateway) services trial with Telstra
providing subscribers with fast access to data rich content during
the Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia.
It is also set to fuel the growth in new USSD services, maximising
return-on-investment (or ROI) for GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications) network operators.
The replacement of more expensive IVR (Interactive Voice Recognition)
systems is one of several examples of USSD applications across a
broad range of telecommunication services. Telstra's decision to
trial USSD with Schlumberger was based on its earlier association
with the Company.
Schlumberger, with its broad-based experience in providing quality
telecommunications solutions, has championed the USSD movement as
one of the critical technologies that would shape GSM operators
in the near future with extensive 2G enabled customers.
Telstra Group Manager, Data Products & Solutions, Technology,
Innovation and Products, Mr Freddie Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen, said,
"Schlumberger has been able to address our specific needs and
help differentiate us from our competitors by providing enhanced
services to our customers.
Telstra's Rugby World Cup 2003 trial of its #176# (USSD) service
will demonstrate the marketing flexibility and simplicity in addressing
our customers' needs".
The project involves the building and testing of hardware and software,
testing and compliance with the Telstra network and deployment into
the production network. Telstra will use the USSD-GW as an intelligent
bearer service manager in combination with the Interacct Solutions
Applications Server to trial interactive services related to Rugby
World Cup 2003.
"This USSD-GW trial means savings in terms of network resources
and maintenance for Telstra as customer self-service features will
become more transparent and simpler to use," Peter Lynch, Schlumberger
Australia country manager, concurs. "Unlike SMS, USSD services
are not a store and forward service but a session-oriented one where
the channel of communication stays open until the user or application
completes the transaction."
USSD service adoption by major operators is set to accelerate as
cost-savings and resource maximisation becomes a key competitive
advantage for all players.
"USSD is a means of transmitting information or instructions
over a GSM network that is similar to SMS (Short Messaging System),"
said Chris Eyles, CEO Interacct Solutions. "USSD provides a
medium that allows mobile operators opportunities to drive wireless
traffic through interactivity. Practical services such as flight
arrival and departure times can be extended to the vast majority
of all customers of a GSM network operator today."
About Telstra
Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications carrier and a
world-class fully integrated, full service provider across wireline,
ADSL, HFC, satellite and digital wireless networks and platforms.
Telstra has more than 10 million household, business and wholesale
customers. Telstra's BigPond™ is Australia's leading ISP.
Telstra has the most highly accessed family of internet portals
and sites and provides entertainment and multimedia content over
its broadband network and through its Pay-TV joint venture, FOXTEL.
Telstra owns and operates one of the most technologically advanced
networks, offering end-to-end solutions ranging from broadband,
IP, mobile and intelligent network services, to voice and data network
hubs, call centres, and advanced multimedia and e-commerce applications.
It has business operations in the Asia-Pacific region, North America,
the UK and Europe.
Telstra is a top tier global carrier with 2002/03 total sales of
A$19.9 billion. Telstra is 50.1 per cent owned by the Commonwealth
of Australia and is listed on the Australian, New Zealand and New
York Stock Exchanges.
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is a global oilfield and information services company
with major activity in the energy industry. The company employs
78,000 people of more than 140 nationalities working in 100 countries,
and consists of three business segments. Schlumberger Oilfield Services
is the world's premier oilfield services company supplying a wide
range of technology services and solutions to the international
oil and gas industry. SchlumbergerSema is a leading supplier of
IT consulting, systems integration, and network and infrastructure
services to the energy industry, as well as to the public sector,
telecommunications and finance markets. WesternGeco, jointly owned
with Baker Hughes, is the world's largest and most advanced surface
seismic company. In 2002, Schlumberger revenue was $13.2 billion.
For more information see www.slb.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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