T-Mobile Launches Commercial Use of MMS

T-Mobile Launches Commercial Use of MMS

 Via their phones, T-Mobile customers can send and receive both text messages and audio recordings, colour photographs and in the future also video recordings
 MMS messages can also be used by prepaid Twist card users from the very beginning
 With MobileBox and MobileBox Easy, users can view or listen to multimedia messages sent to an e-mail address
 Thanks to GPRS roaming, MMS messages can be sent even from abroad
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Prague, 28 August 2002 â?" Olympic winner Aleš Valenta sent the first symbolic multimedia message today, thus starting the commercial use of MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) services in the T-Mobile network. However, eager customers could already test the service in the T-Mobile network yesterday.

With MMS, users can send and receive multimedia messages combining texts, audio recordings, music, photos, pictures and animations via an appropriate handset. The service is available to both contract customers and prepaid Twist cards users from the very beginning. T-Mobile is the first Czech operator to offer MobileBox and MobileBox Easy e-mail clients, allowing users to view or listen to multimedia messages sent to an e-mail address. Moreover, thanks to GPRS roaming, MMS can be sent from abroad as well.

â?śIn early summer, we promised to launch the MMS service in autumn. In the past days, we completed the test operation successfully earlier than planned, and I am glad to offer the MMS service to our customers todayâ?ť, says JiĹ?í DvorjanÄŤanský, Marketing Director of RadioMobil, adding: â?śMMS is an advanced technology, which opens up a wide range of opportunities, and this certainly does not involve just entertainment. MMS also represents a useful source of information and it can be used in corporate applicationsâ?ť.

Sending MMS messages
Like SMS messages, MMS messages are easy and comfortable to send. First, a customer selects MMS in the handset menu. Then, a picture (e.g. a photograph taken by an MMS-capable handset) or a text, an audio recording or a speech recorded by the customer himself/herself is inserted into the message. Then, the message may be sent to another mobile phone or e-mail address. The message may be sent to three recipients at the same time.

Receiving MMS messages
Provided that the recipient owns an MMS-capable phone, after opening a message, a picture or text is displayed or an audio recording is played, depending on the MMS content.

If the recipient does not own an MMS-capable phone or uses services of a different mobile phone operator, an ordinary SMS message is delivered containing information about an MMS message having been sent with a description of where the message may be picked up and an access password. The message may be retrieved on www.t-zones.cz (registration is not necessary) or on the t-zones WAP site under E-Mail and More.

If an MMS message is sent to MobileBox or MobileBox Easy, it will be shown as a new e-mail with a link. After clicking on the link, the MMS will be displayed or played in the same way as on an MMS-capable phone.

If an MMS message is sent to another e-mail box, it will be displayed as a new e-mail. Individual parts of the MMS message will form individual attachments.

Conditions necessary for sending and receiving MMS messages
MMS messages may be sent and received via MMS-capable mobile phones. Currently, T-Mobile offers Nokia 7650 incorporating a digital camera and a Sony Ericsson T68i to which a digital camera may be purchased as an accessory item.

To send and receive MMS messages, a user must activate the MMS service and the T-Mobile GPRS service. The MMS service may be activated free of charge by calling the T-Mobile Infoline.

Afterwards, the MMS profile must be set up. It is very easy: in the case of Nokia 7650, an SMS containing MMS N is sent to 4603; in the case of Sony Ericsson T68i, an SMS containing MMS E is sent to 4603. The user then receives an SMS with set-up information, which has to be saved in the phone.

MMS price list
No activation or monthly fees apply to the use of MMS. Sent MMS are charged at a flat rate.

 Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT
Sending of an MMS message* CZK 9.52  CZK 10.00
Status report ** CZK 0.50  CZK 0.53
Data transmitted when sending/receiving an MMS  free of charge free of charge
Receipt of an MMS message free of charge free of charge

* Introductory price valid until 10 October 2002.
** The feature must be activated in the handset menu.

 

T-Mobile in the Czech Republic
2 July 2002 marked the end of the change from the local brand Paegas to the new brand T-Mobile. RadioMobil is the first and so far the only national operator in the Czech Republic to bring its customers the benefits arising from membership in a global telecommunications group, T-Mobile International. For more information, visit www.t-mobile.cz.

T-Mobile International
T-Mobile International, one of Deutsche Telekom AGâ??s four strategic divisions, is one of the worldâ??s leading international mobile communications providers. Deutsche Telekomâ?? subsidiaries and affiliated companies today serve more than 69 million mobile customers worldwide. T-Mobile is the first transatlantic mobile communications provider utilizing the digital GSM wireless technology standard. For more information, visit www.t-mobile.com.

Contact:
JiĹ?í Hájek
Corporate Communication Manager
RadioMobil a.s.
Tel: +420 603 400 130
Fax: +420 603 620 106
E-mail: press@t-mobile.cz

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.