Operators tout FreeMove 'easy roaming' alliance
Launched under the name 'FreeMove', the scheme is intended to provide
handset owners exactly the same experience abroad as they receive at
home. In practice, that will mean dialing operator service numbers such
as directory enquiries and voice mail facilities is the same
irrespective of where you happen to be. And what language you happen to
speak.
The alliance is intended to steer member companies' customers to over
members' networks when they go overseas. By promoting FreeMove's ease
of use alongside the names of member companies, the operators hope that
their names will be the ones most likely chosen when customers start up
their handsets in a new country and are presented with a list of local
providers.
The move is largely in response to Vodafone, which has spent a good
portion of the last five years acquiring local mobile operators and
renaming them accordingly. So too have the FreeMove member operators,
but to a lesser extent. And they would rather have punters hop onto an
allied network - who customers might not be familiar with - that that
of their largest - and better known - rival.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/59/36620.html
Received on Mon Mar 29 18:10:14 2004