Mobile Tornado clinches deal with major French operator

Mobile Tornado will supply the French company with its patented Push-to-Talk technology platform and will install the system in the operator’s network.

The Harrogate-based company has developed a patented, internet-based Push To Talk technology, a piece of software that is fitted to a handset which effectively turns it into a walkie-talkie.

The commercial launch with the French company is expected before the end of the year.

Jeremy Fenn, managing director of Mobile Tornado, said: “I am delighted to announce our first deal with a Tier 1 Mobile Operator in France. It is especially satisfying since it followed an extremely rigorous technical appraisal, which demonstrated once again the quality of our platform.

“Following deals earlier in the year with American Movil in South America and Telecom Italia in Italy, we are well positioned as mobile operators around the world to seek out applications which will help to grow revenues and retain customers.”

In the past mobile operators have been reluctant to embrace Push to Talk services through a fear it would cannibalise their traditional voice revenues, but the advent of the smartphone, the decline in traditional voice revenues and the increasing interest in apps has encouraged them to seek out new services for customers.

Yesterday Mobile Tornado said turnover rose 13 per cent to £1m in the six months to June 30. Group operating losses fell eight per cent to £458,000.

After finance costs of £221,000 and a tax credit of £101,000, the net loss for the period was £578,000.

During the half year York-based communications company Cellhire signed up Mobile Tornado’s Push to Talk technology.

Cellhire said the technology helped customers during the busy summer when traditional walkie-talkie frequencies were limited or unavailable.