KUALA LUMPUR, 17 NOVEMBER 2009 – Malaysian communications companies Maxis and Astro have partnered to create a new mobile innovation, which will redefine the mobile entertainment experience, they said.
The partnership between mobile service provider Maxis and satellite broadcast company Measat Broadcast Network Systems (MBNS), a subsidiary of Astro All Asia Networks plc (Astro), is to introduce an entertainment innovation aimed in Malaysia, according to representatives from the two firms.
“The partnership will see the creation and delivery of rich mobile TV content such as custom-made video productions, as well as Astro’s Mobile TV channels, through Maxis’ content distribution channels—hence Dimensions, Malaysia’s first made-for-mobile entertainment series,” said Maxis chief operating officer (COO), Jean-Pascal van Overbeke.
“Innovation has always been a driver of what we aim to deliver to our customers, and in partnership with Astro, we are delivering a next-generation product which will encourage further innovations,” said van Overbeke.
“The ability to stream rich episode-based entertainment, like a TV mini-series, directly to mobile phones gives our customers more value in mobile entertainment,” he said.
‘First of its kind in Malaysia’
“Dimensions is the first video medium of its kind in Malaysia, fashioned for personal mobile entertainment, provided free to Maxis and Hotlink customers with no data or download charges,” said Maxis head of product development and infotainment services, T. Kugan.
“The 11-episode science-fiction saga will be delivered weekly to customers who sign up by sending ON <space> DS to 22900,” said Kugan. “The series unfolds an epic story in a new format. It employs a new and fast-paced narrative style suited to mobile devices, to tell a contemporary Malaysian story weaving in local folklore and legends.”
“These episodes are available after 11 November to all Maxis and Hotlink subscribers, while all Malaysians can enjoy the series, and participate interactively in the unfolding storyline, through the Dimensions website (www.dimensions.com.my) and its associated Dimensions Facebook page,” he said.
Astro chief technology officer Paul Dale said the partnership aligns with Astro’s focus on innovation. “At Astro we are driving innovation through our delivery of content and technology. We have been gradually moving towards offering a richer experience from TV screens to PCs and to mobile phones, as part of our delivery to full cross-platform multimedia entertainment. Astro through its Mobile TV business now offers more than 20 channels in popular and specialised genres ranging from news and entertainment to music and sports.”
“Today we’re adding to that range of choice and further pushing innovative possibilities, by bringing to you the first-of-its-kind Dimensions series through our Mobile TV service,” said Dale.
“Maxis subscribers to the series will receive SMS alerts to the latest video and textual releases from the storyline, and through the WAP portal links contained in the SMS updates, be able also to participate in forums, download exclusive extras, and each create his own experience of the innovative series,” said Maxis’s Kugan.
