SingTel Converts With TSI

SINGAPORE -- Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) today announced its collaboration with TSI Telecommunication Services Inc. (TSI), a global communications technology company based in the USA, to provide a new international wholesale service, ANSI/ITU Signalling Conversion Service.

SingTel is the first carrier in Asia to offer TSI's conversion service to mobile operators, including SingTel's regional mobile associates. Commercial service is expected to begin middle of next month.

This service works by converting mobile roaming signalling messages based on the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards used primarily in North America to those based on the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) standards used in other regions, and vice-versa.

The conversion is needed to enable mobile operators in North America (operating GSM850/1900 networks), and in other parts of the world (operating GSM900/1800 networks) to offer their customers international roaming on each other's networks. Up till now, wireless carriers in Asia have had to go through conversion systems provided exclusively by US service providers to facilitate interoperability between the different signalling standards.

Mr Richard Tan, SingTel's Vice-President (International Carrier Business), said: "By partnering TSI, SingTel is now able to offer mobile operators in Asia an alternative gateway to enhance their connectivity to North America. More importantly, SingTel can potentially help regional operators reduce their costs in signalling conversion."

Michael O'Brien, TSI's Vice-President (Marketing), said: "SingTel is recognised as a world leader in deploying cutting edge technologies and services in the Asia-Pacific. We are pleased to work with SingTel to offer our in-house developed signalling conversion system. It is a significant step for TSI in growing our business in the Asia-Pacific by partnering with SingTel."

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel)

TSI Telecommunication Services Inc. (TSI)