The Prepaid Press - February 2009 - (Page 13)

PREPAID TELECOM February 15 · 2009 - 13 PhoenixSoft Announces New Program Launches New Hosted Solution PHOENIX, AZ (February 3, 2009) PhoenixSoft, a provider of next-generation communications platforms for converged networks, has announced a Hosted Solution Model, designed to make it easier for service providers to IPenable their networks and increase revenues through new services. PhoenixSoft says its Cirrus Softswitch brings advanced functionality to any legacy, TDM or VoIP environment. It helps service providers maximize revenue by adding Class 5 features, and applications like prepaid calling card services; pin-less dialing; wholesale routing; voice mail; online payment processing; and customizable billing solutions for call rating, provisioning, customer care, and accounts receivables. PhoenixSoft’s Cirrus Softswitch is now available on a hosted basis, giving service providers access to all of the Cirrus functionality, at a fraction of the cost. The hosted model includes PhoenixSoft’s high-touch, 24-X-7 support, for tailoring applications to meet individual service provider needs. PhoenixSoft says this support addresses all of the management issues associated with the Cirrus Softswitch including power requirements, Internet backbone issues, and connectivity to all the major co-location facilities in the country – so that service providers can focus on their business, and their customers. Over time, customers can move from the hosted model to purchase the Cirrus Softswitch and take it in-house as their business needs change. Source: PhoenixSoft (www.phoenixsoft.com) All Hail the New King? STi Moves to Grab Market Lead with CVT Prepaid Acquisition from page 1 Atlantic-ACM analyst Teague Dugan. AtlanticACM is planning to release its 2009 market numbers shortly. The Sprint acquisition gave STi not only more market share, but legitimacy in the mainstream retail chain-store market. At the time of acquisition, STi President Jim Continenza said, “Sprint’s relationship with nationally recognized retail chains, distributors and promotional customers adds an important channel presence to the increasingly recognized STi brand name.” While neither STi nor CVT would comment on the acquisition, STi’s move to snap up CVT wasn’t shocking. CVT brings STi its 150,000 points of distribution, according to AtlanticACM. What’s more, the companies have like products. STi’s product line includes prepaid wireless services, as well as an extensive line of international prepaid phone cards. CVT also focuses on international prepaid phone cards, having released a number of themed cards for international sports teams and musical groups. The company has become a mainstay in the bodega market, as has STi. Meanwhile, IDT, a long-time prepaid card market dominator, has spent much of its energy over the years gaining market traction through slashing prices – but that’s not a strategy that’s likely to work anymore. “I think they (IDT) were burning a lot of cash trying to gain footing in the marketplace. They would definitely take losses or zero profit in order to flush competitors out of key markets,’ Dugan said. “Now obviously the marketplace is not as appealing – but there’s still a lot of revenue to be had, so the appeal of financial losses in order to gain market share doesn’t seem logical.” STi has also done its share of price slashing, degrading the market over the years, but its recent strategy seems to be to acquire its way into market dominance. “In a shrinking market, consolidation of companies is always a possibility. A company not only can eliminate a competitor, but can also build market share. There will probably be more of this,” said Pelorus Group analyst Alan Fross. Despite a shrinking market, it is not likely that STi’s growth will cause a vacuum that will completely eliminate smaller players. “Smaller providers are still viable. They might have a small niche market that they are still able In the coming year, STi’s acquisitions are expected to place the company ahead of market leader and rival IDT. to cater to. When IDT and AT&T were the dominant players there was still room for smaller players,” Dugan said. As for consumers, things on the retail level aren’t likely to look much different as a result of the STi-CVT acquisition, or consolidation in general. “I do not believe that the consumer will suffer with some consolidation of the prepaid market. There are still enough competitors to keep everyone’s pencil sharpened,” Fross said. At the end of the day, regardless of which companies have market share now, survivors in the prepaid market will be those that learn to best bob and weave with changing trends. That means diversifying product lines, finding new user groups and possibly acquiring other companies – not necessarily slashing prices. THE PREPAID PRESS EXPO WHERE PREPAID CONVERGES AUGUST 18-20, 2009 · CAESARS PALACE, LAS VEGAS THE PREPAID PRESS EXPO Virgin Mobile Partners with Susan G. Komen Best Buy Exclusive Retailer for Pink Flare WARREN, NJ (January 26, 2009) Virgin Mobile USA is joining the fight against breast cancer with the launch of the LG Pink Flare limited edition handset, available exclusively at Best Buy stores nationwide. Five dollars from the purchase of every Pink Flare handset, each priced at $29.99, will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding breast cancer research and community health programs. Virgin Mobile USA is committing to donate a minimum of $150,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s programs. “Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s partnership with Virgin Mobile USA and Best Buy offers consumers a visible and effective way to support our mission to end breast cancer forever,” said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing at Komen for the Cure. “The electric-pink phone enables consumers to make their support known and encourages them to use their voice in the breast cancer movement.” In 2008, an estimated 180,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women and more than 40,000 women died from breast cancer in the United States. “These numbers are unacceptable,” said McGhee. “We have come a long way in the breast cancer movement, but there is still more work to be done. With the help of Best Buy and Virgin Mobile USA, we are moving closer to our vision of a world without breast cancer.” Source: Virgin Mobile USA (www.virginmobileusa.com) Susan G. Komen for the Cure (www.komen.org) The prepaid industry has grown in three distinct branches - calling cards, wireless, and gift cards/ alternative payments. These three diverse sectors converge at the retail level, but are still approached as diﬀerent industries. The Prepaid Press Expo is the only trade event today that focuses on this convergence. As a professional in the prepaid services industry, you no longer have to decide between diﬀerent events that cover just part of the industry. tppEXPO’09 is the must-attend event for anyone involved in producing, buying, or selling prepaid services. EXHIBIT PRICING FOR ��’ X ��’ BOOTHS: $3,900 through March 13 RESERVE YOUR BOOTH NOW AND SAVE! $4,100 from March 14 through May 29 $4,300 thereafter LEARN With the help of industry leading conference organizer, The Pelorus Group, The Prepaid Press Expo is proud to oﬀer the most informative and most aﬀordable conference program for prepaid services. PRICES FROM $�� NETWORK Meet, greet, and be part of the excitement! Learn about the latest and greatest ideas, products, and opportunities within the prepaid services industry. FREE EXHIBIT HALL PASS FOR A LIMITED TIME RESERVE YOUR BOOTH TODAY! Contact Lisa Brown at 866.203.2334 ext. 505 or email expo@prepaidpressexpo.com www.prepaidpressexpo.com SPONSOR Let us tailor a sponsorship to increase your exposure – before, during, and after the Expo. SPONSORSHIPS START AS LOW AS $�,��, which includes your booth! “The Prepaid Press Expo is exactly what the industry needed and at exactly the right moment in time. Thank you to The Prepaid Press and Pelorus Group for their foresight and tireless eﬀorts which made The Prepaid Press Expo ’08 possible and a huge success. We are all looking forward to even bigger and better things in 2009!” – Jonathan Marashlian, Helein & Marashlian, The CommLaw Group & Exhibitor at tppEXPO’08 EMPEROR SPONSOR SENATOR SPONSORS CENTURION SPONSORS CONFERENCE PARTNER MEDIA PARTNERS http://www.phoenixsoft.com http://www.prepaidpressexpo.com http://www.virginmobileusa.com http://www.komen.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Prepaid Press - February 2009

Payments & Processing: Prepaid Debit Card Trends Contents The Retske Report: A Courthouse Divided Regulatory Rundown Prepaid Business: 5 Minutes With Darren Dat Lu, CEO of Lunex Group Prepaid Telecom: International Mobile Top-Up Virgin Mobile USA Compliance Plan Accepted by NYSE Tata Communications Launches One IP World KIT Communications Selects PhoenixSoft Sprint Nextel Increases Payments to Virgin Mobile Motorola, Sprint and Boost Mobile Welcome iDEN Flip PhoenixSoft Announces New Program Virgin Mobile Partners with Susan G. Komen The State of Prepaid Technology: Prepaid Virtual Operators Emerge Prepaid Wireless Roundup Boost Launches ‘Monthly Unlimited’ in More Cities Cricket Selects Callidus On-Demand Solution ICC Worldwide Expands Prepaid Products IPsmarx Launches SIP Based Card Platform The Legal Line Prepaid Telecom in Brief Pinnacle Rolls Out Ingenico’s Payment Terminals TransCard Makes Staff Announcements H&R Block Bank Selects MasterCard Avangate Pays Vendors and Affiliates with Prepaid MC TIO Networks Announces Grant of Stock Options TSYS Offers Enhanced Loyalty Solution First American Payment Systems Inks Deal with RDM Hypercom Introduces HyperSafe Remote Key System i2c Expands Team iPayStation Integrates with Movistar Payments & Processing in Brief New Javelin Report on Evolving Prepaid Card Market TransCard, Socialwise Plan to Revolutionize Prepaid Congresswoman Introduces Financial Literacy Act Industry Analysis on Mobile Banking Available Gift Cards & Promotions: Seven Cost-Conscious Marketing Strategies for 2009 Ntreev USA Announces PvP Tournament hhgregg to Help Circuit City Customers NRF Releases December Industry Sales Cellfire Expands Kroger Mobile Coupon Program Petrofix.com Offers a New Fuel Solution Gift Cards & Promotions in Brief Our Advertisers Contact Us

The Prepaid Press - February 2009

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