Filipino IT firm to run instant messaging solutions in “cell phone hotpots”

Local company D3 Systems, Inc. has expanded the feature of its instant messaging platform, YehBa through a location-based solution called “Cell phone Hotspot” or “Bluezone.”

Wilfredo dela Cruz, president and CEO of D3 Systems said they will give a technology preview of this service in the forthcoming CommunicAsia (June 19-22) in Singapore where YehBa users can have access to YehBa instant messaging services without using the GPRS within the Bluezone. Dela Cruz said the reasoning behind the Bluezone service is to “improve the mobile experience of YehBa users while at the same time providing a zero cost service to mobile users.”

“The Bluezone provides tremendous value to consumers and enterprises by giving them access to mobile marketing, mobile content distribution, information campaign and other interactive services,” he said.
Through CommunicAsia, D3 Systems was able to partner with Airnet Mobile Ltd. And Grameen Phone Ltd., one of the biggest mobile networks in Bangladesh. YehBa, to date, is the leading IM service of Grameen phone subscribers.

The Philippine participation to CommunicAsia is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s export promotion arm, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). The other participants include: Globe Telecommunications, Innove Communications, Imperium Technology, Network Solutions and Interfaces (NSI), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Philippine Software Industry Association, Primesoft Philippines, Inc., Smart Communication, and Tsukiden Software Philippines. YehBa is an affordable mobile application for chatting, sharing photo, creating mobile blogs, and joining/creating chatrooms available in more than 150 countries, including the Middle East, India, United States, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.

Industry statistics show that there are about 34.8 million mobile phone subscribers in the Philippines.
In 2006, Philippine IT firms in CommunicAsia generated $6.2 million dollars, proof of the Philippines’ niche in value-added services like creative content for mobile phones.