*MAPS allows customers to easily find out what’s happening in their area

Singapore, 3 August 2007 - Singtel today announced the launch of *MAPS - the first service in Singapore that allows customers to search for services, events and promotions from around their current location.

This first-of-its kind service will be offered to Singtel customers with GPRS-enabled phones and WiFi-enabled devices. It allows them to view their current location on a map from their device and search for available services and promotions in their area.

“Our *MAPS service offers customers easy access to a directory of shops, restaurants and essential amenities,” said Ms Vicki Brady, Vice President of Consumer Marketing. “It not only helps them to get to the location of their choice in the quickest time but also to find the best deals. With *MAPS, our customers will never be at a loss about what to do or where to go.” 

The service will eventually be able to provide a 360 degree view of everything that is happening in the subscriber’s vicinity. For example, they will be able to check movie screening showtimes in the neighbouring cinemas, what discounts are available at the Japanese restaurant upstairs and what exhibitions are on at nearby complexes.

Singtel has also inked deals with selected merchants to offer customers even more convenience and value.

Starting from tomorrow, users will be able to search for UOB Credit Card privileges around their vicinity.  The search service brings great convenience to customers who are keen to find out about any special deals and promotions while they are out and about.  This includes UOB's wide range of dining privileges, merchants offering SMART$ rebates and Singtel-UOB Card promotions.

Ms Gan Ai Im, UOB's Head of Cards and Payment Products, said: "The partnership with Singtel creates yet another milestone for UOB. It allows us to tap on Singtel's strength as a leading telecommunications provider to offer value-added services to UOB cardmembers.  It's about allowing cardmembers to enjoy our extensive network of participating merchant privileges on-the-go.  Yet another first for UOB and for the cards industry in Singapore, it is just the first of many technology-driven enablers which we hope to rollout to help customers maximise on their card usage."

To access the service on their mobile phone, users simply initiate a session by dialing *MAPS (*6277). They will receive a WAP push which will lead them to a page with a map of their current location. From there, they will be able to find services and promotions around them or search for information in another location. This search service is free and available to all postpaid Singtel Mobile customers who have a GPRS or 3.5G device that is able to access the IDEAS WAP portal, although prevailing data traffic charges will apply. 

By mid-August, the service will also be available on Singtel’s Wireless@SG portal, which is accessible via WiFi-enabled devices. Users just have to click on the *MAP icon on the landing page after login. The service is free on this platform.