Budiey
MAXIS CUSTOMERS CAN NOW SURF THE SKIES WITH MAXIS ON AIRASIA
Travelers can make in-flight calls and access data at cheaper rates with Maxis on AirAsia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 24 September 2010 – Malaysia’s leading integrated communications provider, Maxis Berhad (“Maxis”) today announced its partnership with AirAsia, the leading and largest low fare airline in Asia and OnAir, the world’s No.1 in-flight connectivity provider. This initiative is part of Maxis’ larger commitment to offer seamless voice and data roaming services to its customers, wherever they are – whether on-ground or 30,000 feet in the air.
Maxis currently leads in the mobile sphere with a non-voice revenue percentage of 36.6% of mobile revenue. It has the highest mobile internet users in Malaysia, 6.7 million customers, which is about 50% of its entire customer base of more than 12.9 million subscribers as of 30 June 2010. Maxis is also the leader in integrated play and the first to introduce smartphones to Malaysians.
It has the largest range of Blackberry, iPhone and Android smartphones in the market to enable richer voice and data experience by its customers. Over the past 12 months, Maxis has more than doubled the data-carrying capacity of its mobile network to ensure higher speed and coverage for its users to support the demand for converged services in response to the rapid growth in data usage.
Due to the increasing demand for data while roaming and the influx of smartphones to support this demand, Maxis offers roaming services to more than 190 countries in the world, more than any other mobile provider in Malaysia. In addition, Maxis’ association with Bridge Alliance, the leading and largest alliance in Asia Pacific, enables it to offer preferred data roaming rates to 11 operators in 10 countries. Maxis customers stand to save up to 90% on costs while roaming through Bridge Alliance. Maxis is also the only Malaysian mobile operator to offer daily data roaming plans to countries in the Middle East and the only Malaysian operator to offer an exclusive preferential data roaming plans to its Blackberry users in 24 countries.
As an added convenience, this partnership will enable Maxis customers flying on AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal to stay connected with their friends, family and business colleagues whilst en route to their overseas destinations. Using their own GSM mobile phones or smartphones they can make and receive voice calls, send text messages or emails and access the internet through GPRS. In particular, Maxis customers can take advantage of its attractive call charges and the cheaper data roaming rates that Maxis offers to more countries, compared to its nearest competitor.
Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke, Chief Operating Officer of Maxis Berhad said, “As the leader in integrated communications, Maxis is committed to provide seamless connectivity to enrich the lives of our customers with next generation services, wherever they may be. With a growing need to stay connected, customers will demand greater access to voice and data services both in and out of their homes; whether they are travelling on-ground or 30,000 feet in the air. Our strategic partnerships will ensure we continue to deliver to our customers, the best that communications technology and human creativity can offer.”
Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia X said, “This is another revolutionary service convenience in the region from AirAsia and echoes our commitment providing guests with the best services. We are proud to be standing next to other industry greats, which is truly an amazing achievement especially for a young airline like us. We have always strived hard to ensure that our guests derive utmost satisfaction when flying AirAsia. Moving forward, we are looking at introducing this great innovation to our long-haul flights serviced by AirAsia X.”
“OnAir is very pleased to be working with AirAsia in entering a high-potential market”, said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “The launch marks a very significant milestone for us as it underlines the benefits of OnAir’s services to low-cost carriers. We are also very proud to be the first to establish a strong marketing cooperation with Maxis, one of the leading mobile communications company in this region,” he said.
At this trial stage, AirAsia has equipped four out of its ninety six fleet of A320 with the GSMOB (GSM onboard) system to selected South East Asian routes from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal. The installation of the GSMOB system has proven that it does not compromise the airworthiness of the aircraft at any stage of the flight as it has undergone a rigorous certification process by aviation authorities. AirAsia considers safety to be the most important aspect of its operations and is stringent about complying with the highest international standards and procedures.
Entering its 9th year of operations, AirAsia together with its associates, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia have carried close to 100 million passengers this year. AirAsia connects the whole of ASEAN and beyond and has revolutionized air travel with its low fares.
Present aboard airlines on four of five continents, OnAir provides the only air-travel industry sponsored solution for commercial airlines, private and corporate jets, Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and for long and short-haul flights.
Maxis is the key marketing partner of AirAsia and OnAir for this service and provides the full promotion of the GSM in-flight service to passengers. This includes promotional prices on data usage, calls and text messages.
Special in-flight roaming rates for Maxis users:
Calls SMS Data
RM11 / minute
RM2 / SMS
RM25 / MB
As an added enticement to use this service, randomly selected lucky Maxis users who switch on their mobile devices during their flight will receive an SMS that will entitle them to redeem a free drink onboard the flight.
About AirAsia and AirAsia X
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with approximately 132 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe. Within 8 years of operations, AirAsia has carried more than 92 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 96. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia, Taiwan, India, Iran, Korea and the UK. AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for two consecutive years in 2009 and 2010.
For more information, please visit: www.airasia.com
About OnAir
OnAir provides industry-leading, on-board connectivity solutions that enable passengers
to stay connected while they travel, and airlines and shipping lines to differentiate themselves through offering distinct services to customers. Present aboard airlines on four of five continents, OnAir provides the only air-travel industry sponsored solution for commercial airlines, private and corporate jets, Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and for long and short-haul flights. OnAir is the only provider of services based on SwiftBroadband, the latest high-bandwidth satellite technology from Inmarsat, which offers GSM and GPRS for voice, data and Internet.
OnAir was incorporated in February 2005 and is owned by SITA, the leading IT solutions provider to the air transport world and Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer. OnAir is a member of the GSM Association and an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for SwiftBroadband services. OnAir was awarded greatest contributor to SBB growth in 2009.
More information about OnAir is available at www.onair.aero
