Three Wholesale offers SIM-free connections to support OTT services
Three Wholesale is for the first time offering wholesale customers of over-the-top (OTT) services connectivity without a physical SIM card. This allows them to send and receive texts and voice calls using a virtual mobile number, giving them seamless connectivity with standard mobile networks.
The Nextplus app by textPlus is the first OTT service powered by Three Wholesale. The app enables Nextplus customers to make and receive media-rich texts over IP via mobile numbers that are attached to customers’ Nextplus accounts.The mobile number enables communication using traditional mobiles as well as non-telephony devices such as tablets and the iPod Touch. All devices associated with the virtual mobile number will receive texts at the same time, so customers can choose which device to use. Unlike most OTT apps which require senders and recipients alike to use the app, Nextplus users may also communicate with “off-app” users because Nextplus provides a mobile telephone number that is interconnected with the global telephone network.
Lynda Burton, Director of Three Wholesale, said: “The Nextplus partnership is yet another example of how Three continues to challenge the market and disrupt traditional models of connectivity.
“OTT services are growing rapidly and services like two-way calling without a SIM card will open up new opportunities for the international and roaming markets in particular. Nextplus recognises this and its fresh approach to connectivity makes it an exciting partner for Three Wholesale.”
Austin Murray, Founder and Chief Business Officer of textPlus said: “As a company, Three has the same passion we do for improving the state of mobile, so we couldn’t imagine a better partner for this project.
“There is no reason a consumer’s mobile life should be restricted to a single device. By pairing the Nextplus app with Three’s network of mobile numbers, we are creating a more accessible way for UK consumers to stay connected to each other.”
More details of Three’s Wholesale offering can be found at http://wholesale.three.co.uk/.
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Notes to Editors
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About Three Wholesale
Three Wholesale is the business to business arm of Three UK, a communications company. Three is focused on challenging the industry to make mobile better for everyone.
Three Wholesale works with partners to power MVNOs and machine-to-machine services.
Three Wholesale leverages Three’s network adding dedicated infrastructure and a team focussed on our partners’ success.
Three carries over 45% of the UK’s mobile data. Our 3G network covers 98% of the UK population.
We’re backed by our parent company, Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL) enabling us to leverage wholesale deals across Europe supported by our sister networks in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden.
For more information visit http://wholesale.three.co.uk
