VeriSign to Provide SingTel with Broader Reach,
Roaming and Messaging Capabilities
VeriSign to Gain Access to SingTel’s Signaling Network, Expanding
Coverage in Asia-Pacific Region
SINGAPORE – 3GSM World Congress Asia -- September 27, 2005—VeriSign,
Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure
services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced
an agreement with Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), under
which VeriSign will provide feature-rich roaming and short message capabilities
between SingTel and operators in the Americas. Additionally, VeriSign
will be able to leverage SingTel’s Signaling System 7 (SS7) network
in the Asia-Pacific region gaining access to SingTel’s extensive connectivity
and voice transport for its joint venture companies and associates around
the world.
SingTel will use VeriSign
ANSI-41 and GSM-MAP transport services, which enable feature-rich
and secure seamless roaming regardless of a customer’s location. These
services facilitate wireless call validation, call completion in out-of-area
markets and access to advanced databases such as Wireless
Calling Name, E-911 and Wireless
Number Portability.
SingTel will be able to terminate Short Messaging
Service (SMS) text messages to GSM and CDMA operators in the Americas
using VeriSign’s network capabilities. The technology operates as a
service bureau to connect wireless carriers’ messaging systems and to
route messages between carriers using standard messaging protocols such
as MAP to Short Message Peer-to-Peer Protocol (SMPP) conversion.
VeriSign will gain access to SingTel’s C7 Signaling
Transfer service, which provides Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP)
transport over C7 to nearly all active mobile operators worldwide. By
using SingTel’s C7 network, VeriSign will extend its telecom signaling
network to the Asia Pacific region. VeriSign already owns and operates
the largest independent SS7
network in the Americas, with access to carriers throughout
North, Central and South America.
“We’re proud to be working with a world-class operator
of SingTel’s stature, a leading Asia Pacific GSM provider with over
70 million customers today,” said Vernon Irvin, executive vice president
and general manager, VeriSign Communications Services. “Through this
agreement, SingTel can provide its customers with greater flexibility
and enhanced features regardless of their location and expand the roaming
reach of American carriers into Asia. Expansion in GSM services and
direct connectivity into Asia, one of the fastest-growing markets, continues
to be a focus for VeriSign’s communications efforts.”
“SingTel takes great pride in providing its customers
with the best coverage for its mobile roaming and international services,”
said Mr Hui Weng Cheong, SingTel’s vice president for Consumer Product.”
We are glad that VeriSign is able to support us by strengthening this
coverage in the Americas. We look forward to rolling out more
services from VeriSign’s broad portfolio in communications, commerce
and content to our roaming customers.”
“With an extensive and reliable telecommunications
infrastructure, SingTel provides direct connectivity to many carriers
in over 100 countries around the globe,” said Dr Stephen Rotheram, executive
vice president of Global Business. “We focus very much on the quality
of services delivered to our customers. VeriSign's robust SS7 signaling
network and enhanced coverage in the Americas allows us to further strengthen
SingTel’s objective of providing the best price and quality to carriers
and mobile operators globally.”
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services
that enable and protect interactions across voice and data networks
anytime, from anywhere, on multiple devices. Additional news and information
about the company is available at www.verisign.com
Trademarks
VeriSign, and other trademarks, service marks, and logos are
registered or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries
in the United States and in foreign countries. Copyright © 2005 VeriSign,
Inc. All rights reserved.
About SingTel
SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with operations
and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and
consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications
to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond.
With significant operations in Singapore and Australia
(through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides
a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services
over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms.
To serve the needs of multi-national corporations,
SingTel has a network of 35 offices in 17 countries and territories
throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. These offices
enable SingTel to deliver reliable and quality network solutions to
its customers, either on its own or jointly with local partners.
The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh,
India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional
partners, SingTel is Asia’s largest multi-market mobile operator, serving
more than 71 million customers in seven markets.
SingTel employs more than 19,000 people worldwide
and had a turnover of S$12.62 billion (US$7.65 billion) and net profit
after tax of S$3.27 billion (US$1.98 billion) for the year ended 31
March 2005. More information can be found @ www.singtel.com
and www.optus.com.au.
Media Contacts
VeriSign Media Relations: Lori Sinsley, lsinsley@verisign.com,
650-426-4716
VeriSign Investor Relations: Tom McCallum, tmccallum@verisign.com,
650-426-3744
Statements in this announcement other than historical
data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ
materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty
of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly
operating results due to such factors as the risk that VeriSign's announced
strategic relationships, including the relationship described herein,
may not result in additional products, services, customers, profits
or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information
about potential factors that could affect the company's business and
financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the
forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
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