Revolutionary Use of SIM Toolkit Technology

• RadioMobil is a world leader among GSM providers as regards the use of SIM Toolkit technology
• Companies can design their own applications to increase productivity
• Mobile telephones can be used as a calendar, B2B interface or dispatching center

RadioMobil has designed a special SIM card with an application customized for professionals using GSM services. Called Paegas Profi SIM, the card is based on the SIM Toolkit standard and can store various applications according to the needs of the client. "Throughout the world corporate applications on the Internet are becoming a reality and people are starting to talk about transferring them to mobile telephones. We are introducing services of this type at Invex and our clients can start using them now," says RadioMobils marketing manager Robert Chvátal.

At present, several applications are available. Two of them - Paegas E-mail and Paegas Locator - will be included on every card and there will be enough space for an additional application that will be chosen by the client. Paegas E-mail is already well known, as it is included on all Paegas cards. It allows sending and receiving E-mail and fax messages. Paegas Locator is an application that can be used to determine the current location of a mobile telephone. The third application may be, for instance, Paegas MobilChange which allows controlling the computer program Microsoft Outlook from a mobile telephone. There is also a demo version of a "Business to Business" (B2B) application through which a client can use his/her mobile telephone to order goods from suppliers.

"Three years ago we introduced banking services on SIM cards and now we are the first GSM provider in the world that allows clients to design their own applications for mobile telephones in order to make their business more effective. Our partners are highly interested in services of this type because they all feel that the use of these systems is very simple, inexpensive, fast and efficient. In addition, it is entirely secure thanks to the coding employed by the GSM network," adds Chvátal.

Paegas Locator: Mobile phone dispatcher
Merchants and transport companies in particular will appreciate the possibility of being able to locate their vehicles, sales representatives and mobile telephones. This service is now offered by RadioMobil in collaboration with Geodézie ÄŚS under the name Paegas Locator.

A client installs in his/her computer the necessary electronic maps (1:100,000 scale map of the Czech Republic, maps of district and other cities) and a special program that allows transferring data to the maps. In addition, with every SIM card the client will receive a PUK2 number for setting an eight-digit Locator PIN (LPIN). After that the client can simply activate the Paegas Locator service. Using PUK2, the service can be switched off, for example on weekends or during vacation.

Companies using the Paegas Locator can choose how often the location of telephones should be updated (for example, every hour). Further, the exact position can be determined by sending a request from the central computer. This is a unique solution that uses cell information processed by a SIM Toolkit application directly in telephones. Data is sent in the form of SMS messages to the recipients computer where it is transferred to electronic maps. Information about the location of a mobile telephone is available only to those who know the cards LPIN and who have the necessary equipment. To function accurately, the telephone must be of the correct type; some telephones are unable to process location data and others can determine the location with lesser accuracy (a list of telephones that support the Paegas Locator is available on the Paegas Internet site).

The accuracy of the location service depends on the density of the GSM network ? this is higher in cities than in the countryside. Nonetheless, the accuracy is indicated on the computer, so the user always knows the size of the area in which a sought telephone is located. In cities, the system is able to determine the location of a mobile telephone with an accuracy of tens to hundreds of meters. "This is an ideal application for dispatching centers that monitor company vehicles. For example, RadioMobil is always aware of the location of its technical vehicles. Consequently, if there is a problem, we are able to dispatch the vehicle that is closest to the scene," describes Chvátal. Unlike much more expensive systems based on the GPS technology, which are more accurate but need an antenna which is not blocked by buildings or trees, Paegas Locator is capable of determining the position of a telephone even inside buildings. All it needs is the GSM network signal.

Paegas MobilChange: Mobile Outlook
Users who decide to install on their SIM cards Paegas MobilChange, an application developed by RadioMobil in cooperation with Microsoft and Datasys, can view, send and redirect e-mail messages through their mobile telephones at any time. In addition, the system allows them to browse contacts and access their agendas where they can plan meetings and invite partners. The application is supplied in a bundle that includes a GSM module and Datasys MobileChange software which provides connection of the the corporate intranet with mobile telephones through SMS messages. The client also receives equipment for reading SIM cards and applications; this system allows recording applications on SIM cards whenever necessary.

B2B demo: Direct ordering with a mobile phone
The demo version of the first B2B application was designed by RadioMobil together with IBM and BrainSystem. The program supports a wide array of functions based on the SIM Toolkit standard. For instance, sales representatives visiting clients can use the system to ascertain whether particular goods are in stock and to reserve or directly order the desired items. In addition, the application allows monitoring the inventory and determining the current status of orders. These services are available for all those who have a mobile telephone that supports the SIM Toolkit standard and a SIM card with the application. "According to our surveys there will be substantial interest in applications of this type. The possibilities are virtually limitless, and it only depends on the end users what application will used and how. All the tools are available now," maintains Chvátal.

A number of other applications
There are a large number of other applications that can function on the basis of SIM Toolkit technology, such as banking and information services, M-commerce and B2B applications. "It started with Paegas Info, then came Paegas GSM Banking and now we have other services based on the SIM Toolkit standard. Our partners have already started working on additional applications which should be available in the near future," adds Chvátal.

Only the SIM Toolkit standard is currently able to offer clients services of this type in such a simple manner. Essentially, all that the clients need is a telephone that supports the SIM Toolkit standard - practically all telephones sold on the market today do - and a SIM Toolkit card. A new activation costs an additional 200 crowns and the exchange of an older SIM card, 400 crowns. All data (telephone numbers, SMS) can be transferred to the new SIM card. Major corporations that use the GSM Paegas network, for which Paegas Profi SIM is designed, will certainly find other ways of using this new technology.

 

RadioMobil Incorporated is the operator of the most dynamically growing GSM 900/1800 MHz network in the CR. The market share of Paegas was 46 % at the end of 1999 and the share of Paegas Twist prepaid services even exceeded 60 %. During 1999 over 500 thousand new customers decided for its services, which is the highest number in the history of mobile communications in the CR. The Paegas GSM network that RadioMobil operates belongs to the most technologically developed networks in the world and has no competitor in a whole range of services on the Czech market.

Only in the Paegas network really all customers, not excluding prepaid Paegas Twist card owners, can use the most modern services: free data and fax connection, GSM Banking, WAP-based services, Paegas Assistant and others. So far only RadioMobil offers the possibility of ordering services via the Internet or viewing the bill thanks to the Paegas Info Profil service. They can always be sure they chose the most effective operator on the Czech market.

The Paegas GSM network today covers over 99 % of the Czech population and 99.8 % of first-class roads. Customers can use a Paegas GSM mobile phone in networks of 189 operators from 85 countries of the whole world (116 various locations altogether). In 1999 RadioMobil invested more than 5.5 billion crowns into its network, and for 2000 it plans investments exceeding 10 billion. In October 2000 more than 1.5 million clients were using Paegas services.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.