Telcos seek killer mobile application - News - Communications

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Telcos seek killer mobile application

By Irene Tham, Special to ZDNet
June 18, 2002
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Telcos-seek-killer-mobile-application/0,130061791,120266046,00.htm

Singapore Telecommunications, its regional affiliates and Sun Microsystems have launched a month-long competition to uncover the best mobile Java-based applications.

Open to developers all over the world, the Asia Mobile Java Challenge starts today. Ideas from 20 shortlisted finalists will then be put on a public trial, SingTel said in a statement.

Five winners will be selected based on the number of downloads, appeal, quality, usability, ease of deployment and commercial potential. The reward will come in the form of business contracts with SingTel and its regional partners--Thailand's AIS, Bharti in India, Globe Telecom in the Philippines and Indonesia's Telkomsel.

There will be no restrictions on the type of application to be submitted, SingTel said, adding that entries can range from lifestyle to business.

"The competition provides a platform for SingTel and our regional associates to offer fresh and innovative mobile services to our combined base of more than 22 million customers across the region," said SingTel Mobile CEO Lucas Chow.

These new applications will help support newer mobile technology networks such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and 3G (third-generation), Chow added.

"What makes this competition compelling is the use of commercial contracts as a prize for the winners. This means there's a deep understanding of what makes a developer tick," said Doug Kacwert, Sun Developer Network vice president.