CANNES, France-France Telecom unveiled new features for its Itineris Global System for Mobile communications system at the GSM World Forum in Cannes.
The company announced it will propose roaming coverage for its Itineris GSM cellular customers via the Globalstar satellite system.
The company said Itineris customers will benefit from complete coverage of France, as well as other countries in Europe, North and South America and South Africa. To access the service, Itineris subscribers sign up for either the Europe or World roaming options, with the European option available free of charge.
Roaming calls via Globalstar can only be made with a dual-mode (GSM/satellite) handset, with service set to available by the end of February.
Itineris customers also will benefit from a partnership between France Telecom and Nextel Communications Inc., allowing Itineris subscribers access to Nextel’s coverage in the United States and Latin America.
Itineris customers will be able to roam on the Nextel network with dual-mode or dual-band handsets.
France Telecom also announced the launch of its “Itineris Onsite” service for businesses that want to enable employees to use Itineris phones within the business, including access to special services. The company said Itineris Onsite provides superior call quality, local routing and access to PBX functions such as speed dialing, while at the same time generating cost savings for the business.
Jumping on the wireless Internet bandwagon, France Telecom rolled out the country’s first Internet portal designed for access from wireless handsets. The new portal builds on the Itineris Services suite introduced in December.
France Telecom noted that the portal integrates the full range of services available to Itineris customers, including Itineris e-mail, online organizer, customer service and a growing list of content services.
