Phone Plus Prepaid: channel news

Posted: 3/2004

channel news

PRE Solutions Expands Offerings

PRE Solutions Inc. is expanding its product suite to include customized gift card programs from Valutec Card Solutions to their retail replenishment partners. PRE Solutions is rolling out its first gift card launch to Miller Mart. The cards will be offered in $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations as well as a reload option of an amount the customer chooses.

In related news, PRE Solutions expanded its product suite to include Moviso Prepaid Ringtone Cards, with ringtones available in Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Movie & TV, Pop and Alternative music genres. Each Moviso ringtone card includes a PIN that can be used to download songs to a phone over the Web or WAP interface or a toll-free number. PRE Solutions will be offering Moviso prepaid ringtone cards for $4.99, which include two polyphonic or three monophonic ringtones. Moviso PINs are valid for 180 days.

QVC to Sell Hop-on Products

Hop-on Inc., a developer of disposable and fully recyclable cell phones and wireless accessories, recently announced QVC will sell Hop-on cell phone accessories.

Hop-ons phone is a digital, single-mode cellular handset that operates in the 800 MHz frequency band. Hop-ons CDMA disposable cell phone is fully recyclable and will offer a rechargeable battery and the capability to add minutes.

Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven Offer AT&T Web Cents Cards

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. now carries a full array of specialty-content cards allowing access to online entertainment by using AT&T PrePaid Web Cents technology. The cards available at Wal-Mart include online digital content from Disneys Blast, which has more than 100 games and activities, and Disneys Toontown Online, a multiplayer 3D online game for kids and families. Also available is a Fantasy Sports Season Pass from CBS SportsLine.com, which features fantasy games such as football, baseball, basketball or hockey. Wal-Mart offers the MobileCraze Ringtone Card with about 6,000 ring tones, 100 games, screen images, funny voice mail and mobile phone accessories; as well as GameBlast from Shockwave.com, which offers instant access to a huge collection of the Webs best games and puzzles.

AT&T also has announced 7-Eleven Inc. stores will carry an AT&T PrePaid Web Cents card, providing access to RealRhapsody, the Internet jukebox service from RealNetworks Inc. The RealRhapsody card, priced at $14.95, will provide consumers with one month of access to RealRhapsodys music library and the ability to burn 15 songs for a personal collection.

Charge ANYwhere Available Via United Bank Card

United Bank Card Inc., a credit card processing firm and independent sales organization, has begun distribution of Comstar Interactive Corp.s CHARGE ANYwhere wireless credit card processing solution via its nationwide network of sales representatives.

United Bank Card also will give customers using Lipman TransAction Solutions Nurit 3010 and Nurit 8000 Portable Payment Solutions the option of routing their credit card and other wireless transactions through the Comstar Gateway via either the Cingular Wireless Mobitex network or the Motient network. The Comstar Gateway and Cingular Mobitex or Motient networks will connect United Bank Card customers with processors via a highly reliable and secure environment in which approvals are received by the user in less than 10 seconds, says Comstar.

TechTerra Implements ComWestSwitch

TechTerra Communications Inc., a prepaid IP telephony provider, has implemented the ComWestSwitch integrated switching service from ComWest Inc. TechTerra provides a suite of prepaid products and services to consumers and businesses, including phone-to-phone, PC-to-phone and VoIP phone networks. The company primarily distributes its TerraCallbranded, software-driven soft phone products via the agent and distributor channels and online marketing.

TechTerra has devised a two-phase sales strategy for its services: Phase I  North America, Web-based sales only, marketed by agents and online marketing; Phase II  South America and Middle East, cardbased sales, marketed primarily via retail outlets and Internet cafis. For each method, users will be required to download the soft phone application from the TechTerra Web site.

ComWestSwitchs integrated switching service runs on telcograde standard hardware and software, and features include Webbased access via ComWestPortal, multilevel account creation, multilingual voice prompts, custom branded prepaid/postpaid service, international and Web-based callback, automatic CDR export, one-time and recurring use charges; multiple bong and maintenance fees, flexible real-time rating and tariffing, automatic ANI authorization and allow or deny list capability.

NetworkIP Offers e.Conferencing

NetworkIP has created e.Conferencing, a prepaid, on-demand, small business and residential audio conferencing solution. This application is a fully automated, end-user managed application using PSTN-grade voice links. e.Conferencing is available through channel partners and distributors and can be offered as a multi-use product. This stored value solution allows distributors to combine voice and data services into one product using one pin account.

When the consumer purchases an e.Conferencing-based product, they receive a tollfree access number, a seven-digit PIN and a three-digit security code to be used at a designated Web site to view the Web interface. e.Conferencings real-time Web interface allows the call moderator to sanction and participate in their own conference calls without an operator or reservations agent.

Account activity can be monitored and time can be added to the account without disconnecting the call or speaking with a service representative. The service can also be used as a Meet Me format using the toll-free access number and PIN. e.Conferencing is available at any time, with no restrictions.

CJK to Private-Label VCG Prepaid Cards

Via Communications Group (VCG) announced signing a strategic relationship with prepaid calling card company CJK wherein CJK will private-label and distribute VCGs prepaid calling products.

The first such product, CJK Mexico, is a Latin American-focused prepaid card available in $5 and $10 denominations and on sale across the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. CJK has offices across the United States with concentrations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

We are thrilled to have CJK join the VCG family. They are a key player in the West Coast market and their customer base is one that VCG knows best and knows how to service best, says Elie Seidman, CEO of VCG. We look forward to working on developing this relationship in the coming months and believe CJK Mexico will be the product the market has been waiting for.