Symbio Networks signs deal to leverage Telstra infrastructure

The IP voice communications provider plans to use Telstra’s infrastructure to open the door to new mobile players.

IP voice communications provider Symbio Networks is looking to leverage Telstra’s wholesale infrastructure to open the door to a number of new entrants in the mobile market.

Symbio and its parent company MNF Group have secured a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) deal with Telstra Wholesale that will allow it to offer its iBoss enablement platform to non-telco players keen to offer mobile services to their customers.

According to Symbio, the addition of Telstra’s network robustness and the combined 4G, 3G coverage footprint of 1.59 million square kilometres substantially beefs up iBoss’s capabilities.

MNF Group chief executive Rene Sugo said that the decision to engage with Telstra was driven by the growing appetite in the market to go “mobile-only”.

“For us, it’s not just about selling the services. Our iBoss mobile enablement platform provides the deep integration, automation and self-service capabilities to deliver a truly value-added solution that new market entrants are looking for,” Mr Sugo said.

The first non-telco brand to make use of Symbio’s reinforced iBoss platform is Jim’s Mowing, which is set to launch a mobile service. According to Mr Sugo, there’s growing evidence that big brands -- from supermarkets to football clubs -- are keen to enter the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market.

He added that Symbio’s wholesale offering is looking to capitalise on that appetite with the iBoss platform providing a speedy entry to market.

“The iBoss platform enables new mobile players to go to market in just four weeks, and activates SIM cards in only seven seconds from order placement, according to Symbio. Typical launch times in the industry run into several months or even years, it added.

The latest deal will extend the ongoing relationship between MNF Group and Telstra with the iBoss platform the first to onboard Telstra’s WME platform to enable Telstra Prepaid mobile services to be sold on a wholesale basis.