Asia - data roaming

Asia Pacific’s leading Bridge Alliance launches one-flat data roaming rate across 11 territories

* One-flat rate for easy-to-understand pricing across the region
* Competitive rates provide up to 10 times more usage benefit
* Choice of two capped usage monthly subscription plans
* Subscription is straightforward – just add on to a local service plan
* The alliance also launches a new brand identity, reinforcing its focus to serve customers roaming on the alliance network

Bridge Alliance, the leading mobile alliance in Asia Pacific announces the launch of its one-flat rate mobile data roaming(1) plan, ‘Bridge DataRoam’ across 11 territories in the region.

With ‘Bridge DataRoam’, customers have a choice of two capped usage monthly subscription plans - US$30 for 15MB (Bridge DataRoam15) or US$60 for 40MB (Bridge DataRoam40). The one-flat rate is applicable when customers roam on the alliance’s 11 member operator networks, namely: Airtel (India), AIS (Thailand), CSL (Hong Kong), CTM (Macau), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Maxis (Malaysia), SK Telecom (Korea), SingTel Mobile (Singapore), SingTel Optus (Australia), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

Bridge DataRoam15 and Bridge DataRoam40 can be used for both Blackberry and general mobile data roaming, customers can subscribe to either plan depending on their data roaming usage requirement.

Currently, different operators are charging different data roaming rates across the Asia Pacific territories and it is sometimes confusing for the customers. Some customers may have even experienced “bill shock” when they used data roaming to access their emails or perform downloads from the mobile internet when they travel overseas and across multiple territories. Bridge DataRoam’s one-flat rate across 11 territories not only provides an easy-to-understand pricing, it is competitively priced and its capped usage plans provide the best value of up to 10 times(2) more usage benefits. Customers can now subscribe to a Bridge DataRoam plan before they travel and they know exactly how much to pay for their data roaming.

The bundled capped usage of 15MB and 40MB are catered for the mid to heavy data users. As an indication, 15MB and 40MB can provide up to 300(3) emails or 1500(3) WAP pages, and 800(3) emails or 4000(3) WAP pages downloads respectively. Frequent business travellers and regional enterprises can now effectively manage and control their data roaming expenses with Bridge DataRoam.

Subscription is straightforward, customers can simply add on to their local service plan by signing up with their respective local member operator. Bridge DataRoam will be available for subscription from the month of November(4), from its 10 participating member operators, namely: Airtel (India), AIS (Thailand), CSL (Hong Kong), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Maxis (Malaysia), SK Telecom (Korea), SingTel Mobile (Singapore), SingTel Optus (Australia), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

“We are delighted to announce the launch of Bridge DataRoam across our alliance network. This is a ground-breaking initiative that exemplifies the value that Bridge Alliance offer to our customers,” says Ms Mary Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Mobile, at the Bridge DataRoam launch event today.

“We are the leading mobile alliance with the widest footprint in Asia Pacific, providing seamless connectivity on tier-one quality networks of our member operators. In addition, we have now introduced a product that delivers tangible value to our customers: a truly seamless experience of one-flat data roaming rate across the region. Whether you are a current data roaming user or new user, Bridge DataRoam is your travel essential,” she adds.

Also at the launch event, the alliance unveiled a new brand identity, announcing the change of its previous name from Bridge Mobile Alliance to Bridge Alliance and introducing its new logo.

Launching the alliance’s new brand identity, Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of Bridge Alliance says, “The re-branding to Bridge Alliance and the introduction of a new logo marks the start of a new phase in the growth of the alliance. Going forward, Bridge Alliance will further strengthen its focus on serving the telecommunications needs of both business and leisure travellers across the region. We believe that with the new brand image, customers will better associate and recognize the value that Bridge Alliance can offer to them.”

“Bridge DataRoam is a service that brings to life the brand promise of seamlessness and straightforward services to help our customers stay one step ahead of their busy lives. Bridge DataRoam is priced at a level that will bring about a sense of "peace of mind" when our customers access their emails and other data services while travelling in the region. In line with our focus to serve the needs of travellers, Bridge Alliance will continue to develop innovative solutions and to deliver more value-added regional offers to enhance our customers’ travel experience when they are on Bridge Alliance's network.” Mr Lim adds.

Beyond the 11 territories covered by Bridge DataRoam, the alliance will also seek other collaborations to extend the roaming coverage to more territories for its Bridge DataRoam users.