The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - (Page 12) PREPAID WIRELESS September 15 · 2008 - 12 Western Capital Resources Inc. to Acquire PQH, Inc. Acquisition of Cricket Dealer to Diversify Revenue Stream provides customers with an all-digital wireless network with no long-term commitments or credit checks required. Chris Larson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Capital Resources, Inc. stated, “We are very excited about the acquisition of PQH to drive cash flow and further diversify the Company’s revenue stream. PQH dovetails perfectly with the approximate 10% of revenues which currently are generated by selling prepaid cellular service. PQH is an excellent complement to our current portfolio. We expect to not only draw upon Western Capital’s expertise in meeting the needs of customers who are underserved in growing the PQH business, but also anticipate that the management of these new locations will help us to maximize our current distribution channel of tens of thousands of customers that visit our locations monthly.” In 2007, PQH generated revenues of approximately $2.75 million and EBITDA of $750,000. The Company will finance this transaction out of its current working capital. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and is subject to customary closing conditions. Source: Western Capital Resources, Inc. TracFone Launches SafeLink Wireless New Service to Aid 812,807 Low-Income Households in Tennessee NASHVILLE, TN (August 15, 2008) TracFone Wireless, Inc., a prepaid cell phone provider, announced its launch of SafeLink Wireless in Tennessee. SafeLink Wireless will serve as the company’s distribution of Lifeline - a U.S. government supported program for income eligible households that ensures telephone service is available and affordable for eligible low income households. The SafeLink Wireless service will provide eligible low-income households a free cell phone, mobile access to emergency services and free 68 minutes of air time, monthly, for one year. The cell phone offers in-demand features: voicemail, text, call waiting, international calling to over 60 destinations and caller ID. “Over 812,000 households in Tennessee qualify for the Lifeline services – offering these participants the opportunity to have the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell phones,” said Javier Rosado, Senior Vice President of Lifeline Services for TracFone. “The SafeLink Wireless service is truly unique because we are providing a service that no other company has made available before – a free cell phone and free monthly minutes to qualifying low income families,” added Rosado. SafeLink Wireless offers low income families accessibility, freedom and the security in knowing that should an emergency occur – wherever they are, they will stay safe and stay connected. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (September 2, 2008) Western Capital Resources, Inc. (OTC:WCRS. OB), has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire PQH, Inc. (“PQH”), a Nebraska based business that serves as a dealer for Cricket Communications. PQH currently has eight locations in three states. PQH provides wireless services to a young and ethnically diverse customer base. Its stores principally offer a simple, affordable wireless service to consumers and local businesses. The service plan is for flat-rate unlimited usage. It Economic opportunities for low-income households A recent study (“Cell Phones Provide Significant Economic Gains for Low-Income American Households,” April 2008) analyzed the impact of mobile phones on low-income households. “In this day and age, the cell phone should be deemed an imperative necessity for the millions of low-income families who are far less likely to own them,” said Nicholas P. Sullivan, the study’s author and visiting scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Our study showed cell phones can significantly boost the earning potential of these communities, and this connectivity vastly encourages their opportunities and remains central to their everyday survival,” Sullivan stressed. The study also revealed the cell phone is a critical component for personal safety, access to emergency services, and can potentially increase a low-income family’s economic productivity and earning power. Other relevant survey findings included: • Cell phones provide a “security blanket” and are “extremely important” for “emergency use.” • A cell phone is preferred to a landline phone for mobility and security purposes, and is preferred to a landline phone for emergency use by 3-1 ratio. • 48% have used their phone to call or text during an emergency situation. • 20% have received an emergency call or text on their cell phone. • 32% have purchased a cell phone for a relative to use in emergency situations. • 40% in blue-collar jobs say their cell phone has provided the opportunity to gain employment or make money. Program Eligibility Lifeline program eligibility varies by state but generally families may qualify for SafeLink Wireless service if their household income is not above 135 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, or if they receive any of the following government assistance programs: • Medicaid • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • National School Lunch Program • Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8) • Food Stamps • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Families wanting to participate in the SafeLink Wireless service will need to provide proof of low-income qualification. The SafeLink Wireless service will be provided to low-income families for up to one year. Participants may renew service and will be required to re-submit eligibility documentation upon their year completion. If the participant no longer qualifies for this free service, they will be notified and will be able to keep the cell phone to continue enjoying the benefits as a regular TracFone customer. Unused minutes will never expire and will automatically rollover. When recipients surpass their allocated 68 airtime minutes, they will be able to purchase prepaid SafeLink Wireless airtime cards or TracFone airtime cards, including double minute cards. Existing TracFone customers qualifying for the SafeLink Wireless service may keep their current cell phone, and receive bonus minutes (one-time bonus only) for choosing to keep their current cell phone. Source: TracFone Wireless (www.tracfone.com) SafeLink Wireless (www.safelinkwireless.com) http://www.wcgltd.com http://www.wcgltd.com http://www.tracfone.com http://www.safelinkwireless.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 ISOs Hold Key to Growth in Prepaid Industry Contents From the Publisher: The Show Goes On Regulatory Rundown: Early Fall Regulatory Beat 5 Minutes With Brian Rudolph, Co-owner, Krush Communications TPPEXPO’08 Spotlight Dateline Expo: Prepaid Wireless Update 2008 Wireless in Brief MetroPCS Available at Best Buy Western Capital Resources Inc. to Acquire PQH, Inc. TracFone Launches SafeLink Wireless Prepaid Wireless Roundup CIT Secures Financing for Prepaid Wireless Company MetroPCS Premiers Loopt Social-Mapping Services Virgin Mobile USA Reports Financial Results Dateline Expo: Prepaid Calling Card Update 2008 Inc. 5000 Recognizes Viscom International USAC’s “Carrier’s Carrier” Rule Comes Under Attack NetIQ Extends VoIP Management to Microsoft Office Transverse Launches OSS/BSS Open Source Platform Calling Cards in Brief Dateline Expo: Prepaid and Alternative Payments Update 2008 NETELLER and TransSend to Offer Cards Payments in Brief U.S. Treasury Introducing Direct Express Debit Card Visa Launches New Mobile Payment Services SCX Global Acquired by Rev Worldwide Metavante Selected by Corporate Network eCom ACE and NetSpend Launch March of Dimes Card AccuPOS Announces AccuCount Software Springbok Offers Private Label Prepaid Cards Prepaid 101: ATMs and Prepaid NACS Releases State of the Industry Report PaySpot to Distribute Futura Cards Hypercom Lands Element Payment Services Retail Focus in Brief Our Advertisers Contact Us The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - ISOs Hold Key to Growth in Prepaid Industry (Page 1) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Contents (Page 2) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Contents (Page 3) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - From the Publisher: The Show Goes On (Page 4) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - From the Publisher: The Show Goes On (Page 5) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Regulatory Rundown: Early Fall Regulatory Beat (Page 6) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - 5 Minutes With Brian Rudolph, Co-owner, Krush Communications (Page 7) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - TPPEXPO’08 Spotlight (Page 8) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - TPPEXPO’08 Spotlight (Page 9) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Dateline Expo: Prepaid Wireless Update 2008 (Page 10) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - MetroPCS Available at Best Buy (Page 11) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - TracFone Launches SafeLink Wireless (Page 12) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - CIT Secures Financing for Prepaid Wireless Company (Page 13) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Virgin Mobile USA Reports Financial Results (Page 14) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Virgin Mobile USA Reports Financial Results (Page 15) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Dateline Expo: Prepaid Calling Card Update 2008 (Page 16) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Inc. 5000 Recognizes Viscom International (Page 17) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - USAC’s “Carrier’s Carrier” Rule Comes Under Attack (Page 18) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Transverse Launches OSS/BSS Open Source Platform (Page 19) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Dateline Expo: Prepaid and Alternative Payments Update 2008 (Page 20) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Dateline Expo: Prepaid and Alternative Payments Update 2008 (Page 21) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Payments in Brief (Page 22) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Visa Launches New Mobile Payment Services (Page 23) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Metavante Selected by Corporate Network eCom (Page 24) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Metavante Selected by Corporate Network eCom (Page 25) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Metavante Selected by Corporate Network eCom (Page 26) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Springbok Offers Private Label Prepaid Cards (Page 27) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Prepaid 101: ATMs and Prepaid (Page 28) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Hypercom Lands Element Payment Services (Page 29) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Contact Us (Page 30) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Contact Us (Page 31) The Prepaid Press - September 15, 2008 - Contact Us (Page 32)
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