Asian mobile phone network SingTel has enlisted the help of UK-based ebook platform MobCast to power their digital book strategy.
The pair have created skoob, the first cloud-based ebook store in Singapore, which will sit alongside SingTel’s existing digital content businesses.
Customers will be able to choose from thousands of bestselling titles and will be able to pay via their mobile bill or with a credit card.
Books will be accessible via apps for iPad, iPhone, Android mobile and tablets.
SingTel’s Goh Seow Eng said: “The Singapore market has long been overlooked by e-book services from abroad.
“With the launch of skoob, Singapore readers finally have a service that offers local books and caters specifcally to their tastes and needs. It also provides local publishers and writers with a powerful digital platform that allows them to reach a wider audience.”
Following the launch, skoob is expected to be rolled out across all of SingTel’s operating countries across Asia; SingTel Group serves 383 million mobile customers in 25 countries.
Mobcast CEO Tony Lynch said: Mobcast is in a position to maximise the digital book revolution for Singtel and are very pleased our “Any book, Anywhere” platform, combined with our experience will contribute to establishing them in this market.
“By preloading and marketing the “Any book, Anywhere” bookshop application on every device they sell, Singtel will have an advantage over the competition.”