France Telecom R&D has received certification from Open Mobile Alliance for its new mobile instant messaging service. This compliance label is issued by the Open Mobile Alliance, an international group of operators, manufacturers and telecom equipment vendors that promote interoperability for mobile applications. The label guarantees the interoperability of France Telecom's dedicated server with all wireless devices on the market that comply with the same technical specifications.
Interoperability is a major issue since it is pivotal to massive development of instant messaging services and brings France Telecom a key competitive advantage. In the near term, interoperability means that users can access their instant messaging service from any wireless or fixed device, in France and other countries. Users do not have to have the same telecom operator or type of device as the message recipient or sender. Communications is instant and totally transparent.
Powered by Jabber technology, the messaging solution developed by France Telecom R&D addresses the growing need for instant communications among people who belong to a community of interest. It enables real-time communications with one or more persons connected (friends or office colleagues) and who figure in a buddy list and are connected at a given moment.
This user-friendly interpersonal communications application is always at users' fingertips. Personal and professional messages can be received and sent via PC or mobile device (cellphone or PDA). The system selects the appropriate channel depending on the availability of the person contacted.
In addition to instant contact, customers also benefit from a service that is extremely easy to use, thanks to an enhanced graphical interface that facilitates message input. This ushers in a variety of new usage possibilities such as "presence management", letting people signal whether they are available or busy and immediately find out the same for others. Instant messages can be exchanged in a conversational format that is quicker than email, and which can include attachments. Plus there are multiple possibilities for service portability (multiple access channels, Web availability, SMS, WAP, Windows, etc.).
Instant messaging continues to experience explosive growth, with nearly 250 million users worldwide. This communications medium is now used by 40 percent of websurfers in the United States, and nearly 25 percent in France.
France Telecom offers instant messaging services on its Wanadoo, Freeserve and Voila portals.
Thanks to close cooperation between Orange and France Telecom R&D teams, an innovative range of solutions for wireless telephone customers will be introduced by the end of this year.
