The deal sees Nokia providing Telstra with its Multimedia Messaging Service Centre (MMSC) and Multimedia Terminal Gateway. The contract will be ongoing, with Nokia providing maintenance services along with implementation and integration services.
Telstra and Nokia both have a substantial interest in promoting multimedia messaging service (MMS) technology, which allows people with MMS phones to send and receive text, images and sound incorporated into their message.
"Telstra sees MMS as the next generation of SMS and believes MMS is set to become a mass-market service that appeals to a variety of consumer and business audiences," said Rick Wakeham, managing director of Telstra Mobile, Products. The cost to send an MMS is estimated to be at least AU$1.25, compared to 25c for an SMS.
Richard Kilkelly, regional director of Nokia Networks Australia's Telstra Customer Business Team, said the two companies would be working together to develop value-add services that will expand revenue streams for the industry.
"Similarly, the cooperation is testament to our continued strong showing in MMS globally and our commitment to the evolution to 3G services," added Kilkelly.
However, many people believe MMS will go the way of WAP, an over-hyped failure, with the World Wireless Forum predicting MMS levels will be only one fifth of what is currently expected. As for 3G, it has so far failed to take off in Australia and industry pundits have claimed it is dead.
