Sybase 365, a subsidiary of Sybase, a specialist in mobile messaging and mobile commerce services, today announced that it has expanded its existing mCommerce partnership with O2 in Germany, to offer a ‘hybrid' mobile airtime topup solution.
The solution is aimed at subscribers with prepaid accounts, who can choose to transparently manage their mobile airtime recharging costs, in addition to realising the advantages of convenient, itemized billing and payment on credit, that have been historically reserved for post paid accounts only. The service was launched last month to subscribers of Tchibo mobil, one of Germany's MVNOs.
The solution allows Tchibo mobil to offer its subscribers direct airtime TopUp choices, whilst avoiding a cumbersome scratch card voucher system that requires being logged into the home network, or being reliant upon store opening hours.
"By providing a hybrid solution, we offer our customers greater flexibility and easier access to fast topup possibilities" said Eckart Kurze, Managing Director Tchibo mobil Germany. "As we evaluated our options for the ideal technology partner, we opted for Sybase 365 based upon their international reputation and technical expertise. The simpler the interaction becomes for customers, the more the underlying technology has to work seamlessly and effortlessly in the background. Together, Sybase 365 and O2 have achieved just that, as their robust solution provides the security, speed and scalability needed for mass market adoption."
Following a one-time registration of bank details, subscribers are able to topup mobile airtime via SMS or the Web, and payment is processed through direct debit to the registered bank account. By sending an SMS with keyword "LOAD" to a dedicated short-code, the airtime is directly added to the subscriber's mobile device. Topup is also possible via the Web, through a dedicated customer portal where subscribers can also choose to subscribe to monthly automatic airtime topup on an arbitrary date.
For the hybrid topup solution, Sybase 365 has linked its mCommerce Mobiliser platform and services tightly to the O2 systems. For example with the CRM-System, Sybase 365 handles all transactions and data between the customer portal interface, the bank clearinghouse and the mobile provider. In addition to payment, billing and registration, Sybase 365 offers operations support functionality as well as customised Risk and Limit Management.
"Mobile Operators and MVNOs require a low-cost, rapid entry topup solution with a high security level," said Matthew Talbot, Vice President, mCommerce Sybase 365. "This innovative solution is another milestone in further strengthening the mCommerce movement, by offering solutions that cater both to a subscriber's increasingly mobile lifestyle, and that increase ARPU and improve customer retention for the Operator."