MATERNA plans to break into the international MVNE market
Differentiated product portfolio
Dortmund, 13 February 2006
The telecommunications market is changing rapidly. More and more companies from other industries break into the market as MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Having recognized the opportunities offered by this development, network operators tend to count on co-operations with companies like MATERNA Information & Communications, IT and telecommunications specialist and facilitator for network operators and MVNOs through its subsidiary vistream GmbH. Because of the strong demand, MATERNA intends to bring its successfully launched MVNE concept to the international market, focusing on differentiated services, e. g., with Fixed Mobile Integration.
Many network operators are currently challenged to increase the utilization of their networks, at the same time, searching for new target groups. MVNEs offer their services as a facilitator between MVNOs and traditional telecommunications providers.
MVNEs do not have a relationship with end-user customers. Instead, a MVNE provides infrastructure and services to enable MVNOs to offer services in order to enhance their existing relationship with end-user customers. Therefore MVNEs are positioned to operate all core elements, such as MSC, SMSC, MMSC, WAP gateway and billing tools. That provides the utmost independence from the host operator and enables the MVNE to realize innovative services.
The advantages for network operators are obvious: more efficient use of network capacity, new sales channels for voice minutes and signaling capacity as well as customer acquisition and contact maintenance by the MVNO.
Comprehensive know-how of the MVNE business
By founding its subsidiary vistream GmbH, in 2005, MATERNA introduced the first real German MVNE to the market. As an innovator of telecommunications products, vistream supports companies, wanting to establish themselves as a virtual network operator. For the first time, they have been given the opportunity to present themselves in the market as cross sellers and to push their core products with associated mobile services, e.g. customer loyalty campaigns, bonus programs, or product information.
To date, vistream passed numerous integration tests and concluded the necessary scheduling contracts. In the second quarter of this year, vistream will go into live operation with its own prefix 01570.
Internationalization of the MVNE business
To satisfy the existing demand, MATERNA is going to enter the international market as MVNE, aiming to win established telecommunications providers as partners. The company relies on its sound knowledge of the economic, technical, legal, and administrative aspects of the MVNE/MVNO business.
MATERNA wants to distinguish itself by offering differentiated services and products, e.g. individual portals for specific market segments or attractive roaming tariffs for people who travel a lot. Another emphasis has been put on Fixed Mobile Integration, an issue, which is becoming increasingly popular with network operators.
The Dortmund-based company offers various alternatives for the detailed forming of MVNE activities, with regard to both contractual basis and technology.
MATERNA Information & Communications
MATERNA is a leading software company in the field of information and communication technology. The company employs worldwide approx. 1.200 staff members and its turnover is estimated 142 million Euros for the year 2005. Beside the head office in Dortmund, the company has offices and subsidiaries located all over Germany as well as in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. The Business Unit Communications offers products and solutions from the business area Mobile Solutions and Unified Messaging. This includes in particular value added services for mobile and fixed net on base of SMS, MMS, WAP and Mobile Java which are distributed under the brand name Anny Way. The Anny Way Academy is active on the market in terms of trainings and consulting services as found in practice. By its fully owned subsidiary vistream GmbH MATERNA is involved in the MVNE business In the Business Unit Information, MATERNA develops integrated IT solutions for process optimization involving companies and public administration. This includes the topic fields customer service and support, IT service management, business portals, content management and e-government.
For further details, please contact:
MATERNA Information & Communications
Antje Krämer 
antje.kraemer@materna.de
phone: +49 (0)231 5599 - 8396 
www.materna.comwww.annyway.com
