The GSMA on Wednesday launched the GSMA Marketplace, an online commerce platform designed to improve the procurement processes for buyers and sellers in the mobile industry.
More than 1,300 buyers and sellers from telecoms organisations have signed up to the platform to date in order to benefit from what the GSMA claims are more efficient processes for buying and selling online.
"Whether you are a buyer looking for greater innovation or better prices in your procurement of products or services, or a seller seeking to win new business and enter new markets, the GSMA Marketplace will let you browse, contact and connect with companies who can help you achieve your objectives," said John Hoffman, CEO of the GSMA.
The GSMA Marketplace will be free of charge to buyers, while sellers will be charged an annual subscription of $1,500 (€1,400).
As well as establishing their own online storefronts, sellers will be able to upload their product and services catalogues and respond to Request for Proposals (RFPs) and other queries. A research tool called 'Research Centre' is also designed to enable buyers and sellers to analyse markets as well as potential partners and competitors.
The GSMA intends to ask its members--which it said asked it to set up the online platform--to join the GSMA Marketplace as buyers.
"As an industry association we are in a unique position to attract buyers and sellers in telecoms from all over the world. We are focused on establishing it as the premier online destination to do business in the future," added Hoffman.
The GSMA Marketplace will be rolled out in phases. The first phase will enable buyers to search, discover and make contact with sellers. Future phases of the platform will be driven by buyer and seller feedback but could include formal accreditation of sellers as well as the ability to carry out transactions within the site, the GSMA said.
For more:
- see this GSMA release
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