Tag: M1

Singapore – M1, a telecommunications operator in Singapore, has introduced its new sonic branding with an unusual musical arrangement, designed to capture the soul of the brand. The warmth, genuineness, and individualised experiences that the firm values is being embodied in M1’s new sound identity. 

Its fundamental components, which include guitars and an acoustic ukulele, provide a relaxing setting that emphasises M1’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with its customers.

Moreover, smooth vocals and light percussion are added to create a more upbeat and sounding experience. The telco has also included ethnic instruments from China, Malay, and India into a custom version of the composition, which reflects the multicultural scene of Singapore. 

The musical arrangement is M1’s commitment to creating a “Made-to-Measure” brand experience. It is offered in both conventional and cultural versions. It displays the brand’s respect for the varied cultural mosaic that sets Singapore apart, in addition to reflecting its core principles of positivism, authenticity, and teamwork. M1 celebrates individuality and togetherness while attempting to build a personal connection with its listeners through this aural identity. 

The new musical identity of M1 will be incorporated into advertising campaigns, customer support correspondence, and digital channels. The goal of this integration is to give customers a consistent and memorable brand experience.

Speaking about the new brand identity, Mustafa Kapasi, chief operating Officer for M1, said, “Our new sonic identity is more than just a sound – it’s a reflection of our brand’s values and our deep connection to the people of Singapore. By celebrating diversity and authenticity through music, we aim to forge stronger emotional bonds with M1 customers and provide them a truly ‘Made-to-Measure’ brand experience.”

Singapore – As part of its anti-scam measures, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has partnered with telcos Singtel, M1, StarHub, and SIMBA to allow mobile subscribers in Singapore to block calls from international numbers.

Starting January 5 onwards, Singaporean mobile users will have the option to subscribe to call blocking services offered by Singtel, M1, StarHub, and SIMBA. By opting in, all calls made from international numbers will automatically be blocked. On the other hand, calls made from Singapore numbers, including those using overseas roaming, will be received as per normal.

Subscribers using the service can also enable and disable the international number blocking option based on their needs, such as if they’re expecting international calls or when they’re travelling overseas.

This new service is part of IMDA’s multi-layered measures for fighting scammers, including those operating from overseas. IMDA has been working with several telcos to solve Singapore’s problem with international scam calls and messages.

Since 2023, the telcos have recorded more than 300 million scam calls, and approximately one in every four incoming calls from international numbers has been blocked for this period.

IMDA is also working with telcos on plans to extend the service by blocking SMS from international numbers as well.

In a press release, IMDA stated, “Combatting scams is a whole-of-society effort, and the public should continue to remain vigilant. The public should continue to exercise caution when receiving calls and SMS as scammers’ tactics continue to evolve. Scammers will continue to change their methods and tactics, and there is no foolproof measure even as we continue to monitor and implement additional safeguards.”

The statement continued, “IMDA will continue to work with other stakeholders in the fight against scams. A discerning public is the key in this fight, where consumers are individually alert and raise collective awareness by sharing scam prevention tips with friends and loved ones.”

Singapore – Singaporean mobile network operator M1 has announced an exclusive partnership with regional content-streaming startup Eazie TV to launch a new live TV streaming service optimised for a variety of platforms.

In the partnership, M1 will be adapting Eazie TV’s features in an app subscription, offering an efficient means of access where customers only need to download the app and sign up to immediately enjoy the available content offerings.

The app will offer over 75 live TV channels, including networks like History, CNN, TLC, AXN, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Hunan TV International, and more. Customers can watch their preferred live and on-demand programming from top international and Asian networks in popular categories like news, entertainment, sports, movies, documentaries, lifestyle, kids, and Asian.

Customers can watch content on as many as four streaming devices at home or on the go with a single membership account. Users of M1 pay S$19.98 per month for subscriptions, whereas non-M1 users pay S$24.98.

Existing M1 customers on M1 mobile, fibre and Maxx plans will also be receiving a free 30-days of access on their first subscription.

Singapore – Singapore is set to retire its 3G services across its local telcos by July 31, 2024. According to the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), all three local telcos providing 3G–namely Singtel, StarHub and M1–will all retire their 3G services and make way for the rapid growth of 5G connectivity.

All three telcos aforementioned have released their separate statements detailing the 3G shutdown, and also offering users ways and means to properly move towards 5G connectivity.

3G connectivity was first introduced in the country 20 years ago, and was followed with 4G developments in the mid-2010s and 5G in 2022.

“Overall, close to 99% of Singapore’s mobile subscribers are currently on 4G/5G. As of April 2023, the 3G subscriber base makes up approximately 1% of the total mobile subscriptions and it is on the decline,” IMDA stated.

With Singapore retiring its 3G services, IMDA expects that more spectrum can be released for investment in 5G to provide a better experience for users and support enterprises undergoing digital transformation.

In addition, retailers will also no longer be able to sell 3G mobile phones and/or 4G models requiring 3G for voice calls. This will take effect from 1 February 2024.

“This one-year transition period is given to allow mobile network operators (MNOs) to adequately engage and migrate their remaining 3G subscribers before retiring their 3G services. 3G subscribers should reach out to their respective MNOs for more information and assistance,” IMDA concluded.

Singapore – M1 Limited (M1), one of Singapore’s leading Mobile Network Operators (MNO), has announced today that it is launching Zolaz, a cloud gaming subscription service that allows customers to play anywhere, anytime and on any device.

Zolaz caters to both mid-core and casual gamers with an ‘all-you-can-play’ on-demand gaming experience. Subscribers will be gaining unlimited access to over 400 high-quality PC and console titles including those by AAA publishers. Similar to Netflix and Spotify’s click-and-play model, games are streamed directly to users’ preferred devices without the need to wait for download and installation. A single account can be shared with up to four other profiles

Games in the catalogue include the BAFTA Games Award nominated first-person shooter, Metro Exodus, action RPG co-op from the Warhammer world, Warhammer: Chaosbane, as well as popular party game, Overcooked. Individual high scores and game history can also be stored directly on the cloud, freeing up device data storage.

“Cloud gaming has always been a possibility but its potential has so far depended on network speeds, data tariff, and latency. M1’s True 5G network resolves this with its high speed and low latency so that graphically intensive games can now be seamlessly played on-the-go and without need for expensive hardware,” said Manjot Singh Mann, CEO of M1. 

“M1 is on track to [roll out] nationwide 5G outdoor coverage by the end of this year. Zolaz is part of our 5G ambitions to develop and launch 5G commercial use cases across consumer, enterprise and government sectors,” Singh Mann added.

M1 customers can sign up for Zolaz online and in ‘My M1’ App. The cloud gaming subscription is priced at SGD14.98 per month with no contract. Customers who sign up now are also offered a one-month free subscription. 

The public will be able to experience Zolaz at M1’s flagship store at Peranakan Place from 2nd September. To celebrate the launch of the platform, M1 customers are invited to participate in their gaming tournament, Zolaz Battle Unlimited. Players must choose between Asphalt 9 or Chicken Invaders 4 to compete and submit their top scores by September 4th. 

The top four scorers of each game will be invited to compete against each other on 10 September. After pitting against each other in the semi-finals, the top scorer of each game will compete against TikTok Creators Alona (@pinoybrownie) and Denise (@denisealexis) from Hepmil Creators’ Network. The winner of each game in the grand final will take home the grand prize of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G worth SGD2,398.

Singapore – Singapore telco M1 has tapped IT service management company Amazon Web Services to enhance its current customer experience by launching Maxine, a VoiceBot for its existing hotlines.

Said VoiceBot is built on Amazon Connect, AWS’s omnichannel cloud-based contact center service that helps improve contact center agent productivity and end-user customer experiences. ‘Maxine’ is able to engage in more lifelike conversations with customers, as well as help improve end-user customer experiences by engaging them in open-ended conversations instead of menu-driven interfaces.

The deployment of ‘Maxine’ is part of M1’s continuous transformation journey to be a digital platform. As a cloud native solution, M1 is able to regularly develop and deploy new and incremental features and capabilities that enhance Maxine’s services. 

This solution enables M1 to scale up and down in a short period of time. It also provides call center agents the flexibility they need to work remotely, without compromising the customer experience. 

According to Stamford Low, director of customer experience and retail at M1, customer experience has always been a top priority for them since embarking on their digital transformation journey two years ago. He added as well that they have doubled down on delivering exceptional experiences for their customers.

“We are committed to ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for our customers on all platforms, including our hotlines. With technology as our enabler, M1 will continue to train Maxine to improve its capabilities and add more value to our customers, through the development of a self-help service,” Low stated.

Meanwhile, Dean Samuels, chief technologist for ASEAN at Amazon Web Services, commented that customers, such as those with M1, rely on actionable data to provide faster and more holistic customer experiences, optimize agents’ time based on what matters most, and enable customer service managers to take action in real time.

“With Amazon Connect, M1 can provide superior customer service at a lower cost with an easy-to-use omnichannel cloud contact center. Embedded artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with Amazon Connect makes it easy to automate interactions, understand customer sentiment, authenticate callers, and enable capabilities like interactive voice response (IVR) and chatbots,” Samuels explained.

To date, M1 has its 1627 (Bespoke), 1622 (Business) and 1800-843-8288 (Prepaid) hotlines operating on the Amazon Connect platform. This will be progressively rolled out to other hotlines.

Singapore – M1, one of the largest telecommunications providers in Singapore, has launched a new campaign to promote its new mobile plans through a series of human-centric stories, following the company’s recent rebranding. 

Titled ‘Be’, the campaign focuses on seven unique stories that surround the theme of being ‘who you are’. Some of the featured stories include an 84-year old rock guitar player, Mary Ho; the country’s own blade runner Shariff Abdullah; and Jian Yang, who owns the second largest doll collection in the world.

The featured mobile plans, known collectively as Bespoke Mobile plans aim to meet customers’ desire for greater personalization. Whether looking for a mobile device or a suitable plan, these three made-to-measure offerings – Bespoke Flexi, Bespoke SIM-only, and Bespoke Contract – can be customized to fit individual needs.

Bespoke Flexi provides customers with greater flexibility in every respect, as they can dictate their upfront device payment and choose to settle their balance between 12 and 36 months.

Meanwhile, M1’s Bespoke SIM-only mobile plan offers customers an adaptable, contract-free experience. With the ability to change plans from month-to-month, users can take full advantage of M1’s latest products. In addition customers using the M1+ app now have a convenient slider to balance their data, talk time, and price on the fly.

Finally, Bespoke Contract’s updated data bundles provide customers with even more value as the new base plan includes 20GB. Alongside three fresh add-ons, customers can build a plan suited to their budget and needs.

“Featuring a selection of made-to-measure Bespoke plans, these directly address customer demand for personalization and flexibility. With this fresh, customer-first approach, M1 stands true to its name of being Singapore’s first digital network operator,” the company said in a press statement.

Singapore – ‘Start Digital’, a digital initiative started by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Enterprise Singapore for SME support, is refreshing their existing digital solutions in order to provide newly incorporated SMEs or those that have yet to digitize with foundational and easy-to-deploy digital solutions.

Initially launched in January 2019, the Start Digital program has helped more than 30,000 SMEs to adopt various digital transformation strategies for their businesses, known collectively as the ‘Start Digital Pack’. These solutions are offered across six partners, namely financial institutions DBS, Maybank, OCBC, and UOB, as well as telco Singtel and M1.

Start Digital is offering three new and enhanced categories:

  • Digital Collaboration – These enable employees to work from home or any other convenient locations. Examples include Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
  • Digital Marketing – Tools that provide SMEs with templates to create social media ads and manage their digital ad buys and placements on a single platform. This allows SMEs to easily manage targeted digital marketing campaigns and reach out to consumers on social media.
  • Digital Transactions – InvoiceNow-linked solutions offered by bank partners are integrated with e-payment including PayNow Corporate to enable SMEs to generate/receive e-invoices through InvoiceNow and receive/make e-payments seamlessly. These solutions help SMEs improve transaction accuracy and administrative productivity. Both e-invoicing and e-payments are part of digital utilities which IMDA is putting in place as baseline infrastructure for the digital economy. Similar to their physical counterparts, digital utilities provide common standards and ease of transactions for businesses. 

Start Digital initially included accounting, human resource management system and payroll, digital marketing, digital transactions and cybersecurity solutions. 

“Based on feedback from SMEs and Start Digital partners, IMDA and Enterprise Singapore are enhancing Start Digital to include new solutions that will enable SMEs to collaborate seamlessly with internal and external parties, and gain new customers,” according to a factsheet released by IMDA and Enterprise Singapore.

Both institutions have been proactive in driving support for SMEs and startups based on digital transformation strategies. Earlier this year, Enterprise Singapore supported the launch of the PlanetSpark Innovation Centre to focus on tech startups seeking to deploy artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) to the market.