OPTUS AND SINGTEL LAUNCH WORLDWIDE SEARCH FOR KILLER MOBILE APPLICATIONS

An invitation to join the Asia Java Mobile Challenge

The search is on for killer mobile applications that will revolutionise the mobile industry with the launch of the Asia Java Mobile Challenge.

The Asia Java Mobile Challenge is an initiative spearheaded by SingTel, Sun Microsystems, Optus and SingTel's regional partners, AIS, Bharti, Globe Telecom and Telkomsel.

Mr Allen Lew, Managing Director, Optus Mobile said, "Australian Java developers will get the chance to show their ingenuity on the world stage by entering the Challenge."

The competition is open to developers with innovative applications for mobile phones using JAVA 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME), the defacto computer language used for writing programmes for a new generation of mobile phones.

Mr Lew said, "The Asia Java Mobile Challenge provides a platform for SingTel, Optus and our regional associates to offer fresh and innovative mobile services to our combined customer base of more than 22 million mobile users across the region.

"The types of next-generation mobile services that our customers can look forward to are limited only by one's imagination. We are sure Australian developers will have lots of ideas.

"Our vision is to introduce new services that our customers find useful. Applications relating to lifestyle, entertainment, business, information and games are welcomed," said Mr Lew.

The Challenge will run from 17 June to 16 August 2002. Ideas from 20 shortlisted finalists will be tested via a public trial. The evaluation criteria include: appeal, quality, usability and ease of deployment. Selected winners will be awarded business contracts with the six participating regional mobile operators.

The Asia Java Mobile Challenge is supported by software and equipment heavyweights Motorola, Nokia, Siemens, Sony Ericsson and Sun Microsystems. In Australia, Optus and Nokia have been supporting developers through their FutureLab program and together with Sun will run an education forum for Australian Java developers in June.

Contact Optus Nokia FutureLab by email at future.lab@optus.com.au

Media contact:
Louise Ingram
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5042