Tune Talk SIM card to save on overseas calls

GEORGE TOWN: Tune Talk Sdn Bhd is planning to introduce a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in the Asean region that would allow its users to save substantially on overseas calls, in line with its foreign expansion plan.

Chief executive officer Jason Lo said in an interview that the SIM card would allow users to be charged a local rate for calls made overseas such as in the United States and Europe.

“With the SIM card, we would be able to compete effectively with the roaming network operators,” said Lo. He was speaking at the Perseverance to overcome all odds Know your purpose talk organised by the Penang Medical College's Peer-Assisted Learning Society.

Tune Talk, the country's largest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), plans to expand its prepaid services soon to Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia and Myannmar, just after launching its 3G services in Thailand.

“We are eyeing Laos next. In Thailand, we are working with a telecommunications company. In the tie-up, we would provide the management expertise and business model. After a year, we would consider investing in infrastructure and expanding the sales marketing team in Thailand,” he said.

In Thailand, Tune Talk's 3G services are aimed at tourists, professionals and youths.

Moving ahead, Lo said the company was aiming to achieve RM250mil-RM300mil revenue this year, compared to the RM200mil posted in 2012.

Tune Talk planned to increase its subscribers to 1.5 million by 2014 from the 700,000 at present, Lo added.

Lo said the company would be introducing more value-added services such as mobile social network gaming on its MVNO network to increase subscribers.

“As an MVNO, our business model allows us to focus on improving our products, marketing and providing customer service without the need to build and maintain a full-cellular network.

“This allows us to keep our capital investments low, thus focusing on offering super-low call rates and giving our subscribers great customer service,” Lo said.

Riding on the extensive network of Celcom (M) Bhd since 2008, Tune Talk's objective is to provide super-low call rates and exciting incentives to the under-served segment of the market.

“Our prepaid service offers no-frills voice and SMS packages that meet the demands for a simple, value-for-money product” he said. Celcom holds a 35% stake in Tune Talk.