The GSM Association and 15 of the world's largest mobile phone operators have entered into an arrangement to roll out interoperable instant messaging (IM) services that will build on the text messaging.

The initiative was unveiled at a press conference at the 3GSM conference. This brings together eight of the world's biggest operators-BSNL, Bharti, Hutchison Essar, Idea, MTNL, Aircel and SpiceChina Mobile, Orange, Telefoica Moviles, TeliaSonera, TIM, T-Mobile, Turkcell and Vodafone with the aim to rollout IM services that work across networks. As of now, exchanging messaqges across networks is not seamless. Typically, users of existing IM services are charged on a volume basis, resulting in both sender and receiver to pay for transfer of messages. The GSMA claims that this new approach to instant messaging-dubbed "Personal IM"-adheres to the core GSM principles of ease-of-use,
interoperability, initiating party pays, reliability and security. "Thanks to this coordinated instant messaging campaign, more than 700 million mobile subscribers will eventually have access to an IM service that is intuitive, reliable, secure and will work across networks," commented Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association.

"The GSMA is calling this approach to instant messaging Personal IM because it respects the personal nature of mobile devices and protects the trusted and secure environment surrounding mobile voice calls and text messaging," added Craig Ehrlich, Chairman of the GSMA. Between them, the 15 operator groups have signed 32 letters of intent paving the way to bilateral interoperability agreements that will allow their customers to exchange messages with users on other networks.

SUDESH PRASAD BARCELONA

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