Leaping Into the Future
Formula Telecom Solutions

 

Key Issues: FTS Phone Service, Increase Profits of Prepaid Subscribers, Online Rating

Mobile telecommunications has taken Africa by storm. The Continent's needs are advanced, having leapfrogged into the future and operators throughout the continent have seen unprecedented network expansion and subscriber growth. However, most mobile telecommunications operators in Africa are faced with a predominantly prepaid customer base, instead of a postpaid one. The challenge is to increase the profitability of these prepaid subscribers in order to improve the operator's bottom line and build steady and positive relationships with customers. FTS (Formula Telecom Solutions), a leading global provider of Billing and CRM solutions to the telecom industry, is up to that challenge.

"In the mobile telecommunications industry, postpaid customers are preferred as they normally spend more on their accounts and because of available technology, operators can gather better info rmation about customers. This enables them to offer better customer service as well as additional products and services," says Isaac Eldar , vice president of marketing, Formula Telecom Solutions. "In the case of prepaid customers, operators do not have the luxury of knowing who their clients are and can therefore offer them very limited customer service."

This is where FTS steps in. The company's LEAP solutions enable operators to treat pre- and postpaid customers in exactly the same way, whereas the only difference between them is the payment method. The operator benefits by obtaining the same type of info rmation about prepaid clients as well as postpaid ones, thereby improving service, adding new content services and increasing ARPU across the board. In this environment, the operator offers a prepaid user special deals and promotions, something that was not possible before. With customized promotions, phone usage can be increased and the ever-present customer churn problem decreased. Currently, FTS' LEAP solution is deployed at a wireless telecom operator in a major West African country.

"By having one system that handles both types of customers in the same manner, operators can save substantially on the customer relationship management software," says Eldar. The system also offers customers with the means of choosing their payment method, be it pre- or postpaid.

In emerging markets Formula Telecom Solutions is specifically marketing its Billing and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems - be it for mobile or fixed-line operators. Eldar says, "Operators in emerging markets are facing a massive problem when it comes to correct billing and efficient management of their networks. Our systems offer a cost-effective solution to ensure that they bill their customers correctly and on time."

For new value-added services such as content and GPRS, FTS' LEAP NextGen is a complete online charging, real-time rating & billing solution and perfect for pre- and postpaid customers. Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and superior design, LEAP NextGen enables operators to create compelling business operations for voice, data, content, and commerce services over any delivery network.

FTS' long-term commitment to its clients greatly reduces implementation risk factors. "We build and support relationships with our clients. FTS believes in skills transfer. Once a system has been deployed, the operator's employees are trained to manage the maintenance of the system. Apart from this, clients have access to local support companies to assist them with any additional queries, or can utilize expertise directly from FTS."

"We operate around the world from the and Europe to Africa and Asia . We believe that our unique solutions will be of great benefit to Africa thereby ensuring that the current massive telecom boom will be managed in the best possible way," concludes Eldar.