Get the latest announcements from MEF Members across the mobile ecosystem globally in this weekly review of member news…
eir Partners with Openmind Networks as Preferred Messaging Systems Provider
Openmind Networks, a global leader in messaging platform solutions, has partnered with eir, one of Ireland’s leading telecommunications and postal service providers, to become its preferred supplier for messaging systems software and Short Message Service Center (SMSC) solutions. Through this collaboration, Openmind will provide eir with advanced messaging technology designed to deliver the highest levels of security and reliability for both private and business customers. The agreement covers SMSC, Application Router, and IPSM Gateway solutions, reinforcing eir’s commitment to innovation and secure, future-proof communications as the telecoms industry continues to rapidly evolve.
“We are extremely proud to be chosen as eir’s principal partner for messaging systems software and SMSC. This partnership reflects a long history of providing messaging solutions in the Irish market that enable operators like eir to provide best-in-class messaging for their subscribers and maximize revenues from A2P messaging.” Alex Duncan, Co-Founder & CEO, Openmind Networks.
“The partnership with Openmind Networks provides eir with a solid platform on which to further develop our messaging portfolio,” said Liam O’Toole, Head of Mobile Data and Messaging at eir. “Openmind Networks’ proven expertise in messaging systems makes them the ideal partner to help us deliver innovative and robust messaging solutions to our customers.”
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iBASIS Acquires Global Voice, IPX and Messaging Wholesale Assets From Telstra International and Signs Long-Term Agreement for the Provision of These Services
iBASIS has signed an Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement with Telstra to acquire Telstra International’s wholesale voice, mobile, and messaging customer contracts. Subject to regulatory approvals, the deal significantly expands iBASIS’ scale, customer base, and geographic footprint across the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening its presence in Hong Kong and Singapore while establishing operations in Australia and New Zealand. As part of the agreement, iBASIS will also gain exclusive rights to provide international wholesale voice services for Digicel Pacific, covering six island nations. This move reinforces iBASIS’ role as a key partner for Tier One carriers and consolidator in the global wholesale market.
“This long-term partnership with iBASIS offers a strategic opportunity to strengthen our ability to compete globally, while ensuring continuity and quality for our international voice customers. We have full confidence in iBASIS to deliver seamless continuity for our wholesale and retail customers, backed by their proven track record in service delivery and global expertise,” said Roary Stasko, CEO of Telstra International.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Telstra. This marks a significant milestone in iBASIS’ ongoing consolidation strategy,” said Patrick George, CEO of iBASIS. “This transaction accelerates our growth trajectory and strengthens our unique leadership position as a global wholesale player. It validates the relevance of our model as an independent specialist in global wholesale communications, built on high-performing voice and mobile platforms, and expands our reach and presence in the APAC region.”
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Infobip makes SMS available in 100+ new countries via Microsoft Azure Communication Services
Infobip, the global cloud communications platform, has expanded its integration with Microsoft Azure Communication Services to extend advanced SMS capabilities to more than 100 additional countries. By combining Infobip’s carrier-grade messaging infrastructure with Microsoft’s communications platform, the partnership enables businesses to reach customers securely and reliably on a global scale. This collaboration strengthens enterprise communication by ensuring high-quality, compliant messaging across diverse markets.
Integrating Infobip’s SMS channels through the Messaging Connect Integration underscores our commitment to empowering cloud platforms with truly global, reliable, and high-quality communication capabilities. In today’s era of AI and automation, we are not only connecting businesses and customers, but we are also enabling conversations that drive impact.” Veselin Vuković, Chief Alliances Officer at Infobip
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sendSMS.ro and Mediatel Data team up to enhance Omnichannel Communication Solutions Worldwide
Mediatel Data, a global leader in customer experience technology, has partnered with sendSMS.ro, a trusted European CPaaS provider, to strengthen SMS partnerships and deliver more advanced omnichannel communication solutions for businesses worldwide. The collaboration brings together Mediatel Data’s AI-driven contact center, video assistance, chatbots, and workforce management tools with sendSMS.ro’s secure and reliable global SMS delivery network, enabling companies across industries to engage customers more effectively.
SMS continues to stand out as a powerful customer engagement tool, achieving an average open rate of 98% and near-instant responses. As part of an omnichannel strategy, it offers unmatched reliability, delivering messages even in areas with low connectivity, and provides a direct channel for urgent updates, personalized promotions, and secure two-factor authentication (2FA). Its accessibility—requiring no app downloads—makes it a highly effective way to reach customers on the move. In addition, SMS supports timely, geo-targeted, and personalized communication, all while remaining a cost-efficient solution for time-sensitive engagement.
Neural Technologies partners with Symmetry
Symmetry Solutions has announced a strategic partnership with Neural Technologies, a global provider of revenue protection, signaling, digital integration, and AI/ML-powered telecom solutions. The collaboration will see Neural Technologies’ new IRSF Defense Solution integrate Symmetry’s PRISM high-risk numbering intelligence to bolster protection against International Revenue Share Fraud (IRSF).
PRISM, Symmetry’s flagship fraud intelligence service, leverages the world’s largest dataset of IRSF-related voice and SMS numbers alongside real-time threat intelligence. By combining these strengths, the partnership equips telecom operators and enterprises to proactively detect, alert, and block fraudulent traffic before it causes financial or operational damage.
“We are proud to provide our PRISM intelligence database to support Neural Technologies’ new IRSF Defense Solution, expanding its impact on one of the largest fraud types affecting the telecoms industry and our customers,” said Dean Smith, COO of Symmetry Solutions. “Our collaboration provides Neural Technologies with valuable IRSF intelligence that helps their customers stay ahead of evolving IRSF fraud threats. IRSF intelligence enables highly effective and efficient fraud control.”
FreeTelecom Partners with TELUS to Launch Industry-First Dual Mobile Service for Korean-Canadian Market
TELUS has teamed up with Korea’s leading budget telecom provider, FreeTelecom, to launch the FreeTelecom Dual Plan, a first-of-its-kind mobile solution that combines Korean and Canadian mobile services on a single device. Designed to eliminate the high costs of traditional roaming, the plan provides affordable, seamless connectivity for Korean residents, students, business travelers, and working holiday participants who divide their time between the two countries.
The service runs on TELUS’ award-winning Canadian network, while FreeTelecom brings its strong track record of customer satisfaction and innovation from Korea, where it has earned accolades such as Customer Satisfaction Brand of the Year, ICT Award Korea Gold Prize, and top consumer preference rankings. This partnership not only addresses a niche but growing demand for dual-country connectivity, it also marks FreeTelecom’s first expansion into the global market.
“Our partnership with FreeTelecom represents TELUS’ commitment to serving Canada’s diverse communities with innovative solutions,” said Kal Amery, Vice President, Global Carrier Solutions at TELUS. “The FreeTelecom Dual Plan delivers exceptional value for customers who maintain connections across Korea and Canada, leveraging our reliable network to provide seamless international connectivity.”
Text-Em-All Joins ECRS’ API Ecosystem to Power SMS Marketing for Independent Retailers
At Ignite 2025, ECRS announced a strategic partnership with Text-Em-All, a leading provider of mass messaging solutions. Through this collaboration, Text-Em-All becomes the preferred SMS marketing provider for the CATAPULT® software suite, giving independent retailers a powerful new way to reach and engage their customers.
With the integration, CATAPULT users can send SMS messages directly to shoppers without relying on manual workarounds. From promoting weekend sales to sharing updates on special events, independent retailers can now deliver timely, personalized communications that stand out and help drive measurable business growth.
“We knew we needed to bring text message marketing into CATAPULT in a way that adds tremendous value to our retailers and their customers,” said James Councill, Loyalty & Promotions Business Unit Manager at ECRS. “That meant forming a lasting partnership with a like-minded Certified Evergreen® company—one with a proven track record in text messaging, and one that could deliver a solution that is accessible to all ECRS customers, with exceptional onboarding, coaching, and customer service.”
“We’re excited to partner with ECRS to deliver an SMS marketing solution that helps CATAPULT retailers grow sales and build stronger customer relationships,” said Ron Kinkade, Head of Marketing at Text-Em-All. “This integration empowers retailers to connect with customers quickly and effectively—without disrupting their workflow.”
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Twilio Announces General Availability of Rich Communication Services (RCS) to Transform Business Messaging with Branded, Interactive Experiences
Twilio, the customer engagement platform powering real-time personalized experiences, has announced the global general availability of Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging. Positioned as the most significant advancement in business messaging since SMS, RCS allows brands to deliver branded, verified messages enriched with interactive features. Following a successful public beta in 2024, RCS is now accessible to Twilio’s 349,000+ active customer accounts through its Programmable Messaging and Verify APIs. Existing users can seamlessly upgrade without code changes, while new customers can integrate SMS and RCS through a single, streamlined implementation on the Twilio platform.
“Building engagement with your customers should be as seamless and trusted as possible,” said Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer and Head of R&D at Twilio. “RCS makes this a reality by delivering richer interactions, improved deliverability, increased trust in your brand. This represents a fundamental shift in how businesses can communicate with their customers through Twilio’s trusted, simple, and smart platform.”
