Colibria Interconnects Telefonica Moviles España’s ‘SMS 2.0’ Messaging Service with Vodafone Messenger in Spain

First Spanish new generation messaging interconnect now live for over 70% of mobile subscribers.

Colibria AS, a leader in new generation mobile Instant Messaging Solutions, has enabled Telefonica Moviles España’s ‘SMS 2.0’ service to interconnect with Vodafone’s Messenger service nationwide. This allows Telefonica Moviles España’s subscribers to seamlessly exchange messages and presence information with their friends who are using Vodafone Messenger in Spain.

The interconnection of these two services represents a significant stride forward in response to the GSMA’s Personal IM initiative, enabling operators to create viable communities based on SMS and IM working together.

The Telefonica Moviles España/Vodafone interconnect solution is the latest step in Colibria’s deployment for Telefonica’s ‘SMS 2.0’ service, which initially launched in October 2006. ‘SMS 2.0’ enhances existing SMS services by adding features such as real-time messaging, buddy lists, presence information, group messaging and the ability to track entire conversations.

To accelerate consumer adoption of Telefonica Moviles España’s ‘SMS 2.0’, Colibria’s solutions support SMS continuity with its SMS Interworking module. For instance, ‘SMS 2.0’ allows Telefonica subscribers to send instant messages as an SMS to those who do not yet use the advanced ‘SMS 2.0’ service and vice versa. This increases potential uptake as well as supporting a high level of enhanced communication for all customers.

Alphonso Perea Mosaleda, Head of Messaging Development for Telefonica Moviles España comments: "Extending our ‘SMS 2.0’ service with interconnect is a key milestone in the adoption curve for new generation SMS services. This allows Telefonica subscribers to communicate easily with their friends and colleagues across the Vodafone network using the Telefonica Moviles España ‘SMS 2.0’ messaging service."

Keith Gibson, CEO of Colibria, commented: "The evolution of SMS to a new generation of mobile messaging services will offer a wealth of innovative and exciting communication experiences for subscribers. Interconnection between operators within countries is a key step in providing subscribers with the ability to communicate seamlessly. We must work together throughout the industry to ensure interoperability for existing and new generation messaging services between operators in order to deliver the best possible services to subscribers."

The interconnect is the result of close cooperation between Telefonica Moviles España and Vodafone in Spain, and is based on existing protocol standards. This provides the ability to extend the number of features supported by the interconnect, as well as providing scope to support additional operators messaging services in the future.

Colibria is a leading global provider of new generation messaging solutions, with 17 operator customers globally.

For more information, please contact Richard George on +44 (0) 20 7792 7408 or email
emma.turner@nelsonbostock.com / richard.george@nelsonbostock.com

About Colibria
Colibria was founded in 2000 and is already a leading international player in the field of new generation Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) solutions. Based in Norway, Colibria also has locations in the UK, Belgium, Spain, Singapore and the Philippines. Colibria has a global customer base of mobile operators in Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as working with leading systems integrators. Strategic partners include LogicaCMG, Alcatel-Lucent Technologies, Nokia, and Motorola.

Colibria’s IM platform provides an end-to-end solution from advanced server technology through to innovative handset clients. It delivers the infrastructure for launching instant messaging and associated multimedia services as well as advanced IMS based messaging and presence services. Colibria is focused on ensuring interoperability between devices, platforms and operators. Its IMPS and SIP/IMS test server facilities are now the de facto standard for product and service trials, with users in over 30 countries around the world.

Colibria is an active participant in the international standards arena, contributing extensively to the OMA IMPS forum as a member of the Open Mobile Alliance, as well as the GSMA. It is also a founding member of the COMET alliance, a global consortium committed to the delivery of end-to-end converged messaging solutions.

Colibria’s investors include Northzone Ventures (www.northzone.com), Verdane Capital (www.verdanecapital.no), and Ferd Venture (www.ferdventure.no).

Colibria is at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona Hall 1, Stand 1H49.

For further information please contact:
Nelson Bostock Communications
Emma Turner/Richard George
PH: + 44 (0) 20 7229 4400
EMAIL: emma.turner@nelsonbostock.com

If you would like to schedule an interview at 3GSM in Barcelona, please call:
Emma Turner
+44 (0) 7810 184 651