iConnect launches GSM service

A local telecommunications company yesterday launched GSM cellular services on Saipan, the first of its kind in the Northern Marianas.

Wave Runner CNMI Inc., an affiliate of Choice Radio Inc. that operates the iConnect two-way radio system on Guam and in the CNMI, launched the iCan cellular services. The new cellular phone company offers free text messaging among iCan cellular phones.

“Eventually, we plan to roll it out to other islands like Tinian and Rota,” said Manny Andaya, iCan’s acting general manager. “GSM is more globally recognized. A lot of countries have adopted this system.”

The cellular company launched the first GSM service in the CNMI amid plans by Guam-based HafaTEL to penetrate the Saipan market with its GSM cellular service. Guam Wireless Telephone Company LLC, the company operating HafaTEL, recently disclosed plans to begin Saipan operations by mid-2005.

GSM technology allows users to make use of subscriber identity module (SIM) or smart cards that are placed inside cellular phone units. Other cellular providers in the CNMI use the CDMA technology.

Andaya said that GSM technology not only has advantages for its users due to wide roaming services, but also because of the convenience of simply inserting a SIM card inside a cellular phone and easily replacing it with another SIM card in another part of the world while still using the same cellular phone unit.

Andaya said its Nokia and Motorola cellular phone brands are triband phones, which could easily be used in any destination.

Besides announcing iCan’s free local text messaging service, Andaya also disclosed that iCan would have text messaging capability between Smart and Globe cellular phones in the Philippines after a few weeks.

The company has yet to peg the cost of text-messaging with the Philippines’ major cellular providers, but Andaya added: “I could assure you that it’s going to be very competitive.”

Andaya said that iCan has very competitive rates, noting that incoming or outgoing calls could be as low as 15 cents per minute.

The company has special promotional packages for the first 100 purchasers. It sells prepaid SIM cards.

“The GSM service is part of our commitment. Three years ago, we committed to develop the telecommunications industry by introducing iConnect services that are at par with those of other countries,” Andaya said.