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Web Cafes Closed for Providing Illegal Calls [Feb. 14th, 2008|08:18 pm] [ Tags | calling cards, emirates, etisalat, illegal call, international call, internet cafe, phone cards, steal minutes, voip, web cafes ] Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, also known as Etisalat, is tracing people using illegal phone cards because it says they are stealing phone call units from it. Those calling cards enable users to make international calls for a very low price. "I use them to speak to my son who is studying in the US. I use the card through my internet connection at home. I can speak with my son for hours at a very low rate," said Harish, a Dubai-based Indian. Another woman who lives in Sharjah said she uses the cards to contact her family in Iraq. The woman said she uses two kinds of internet phone cards which are available there. "I use such cards because they are cheap and the service is available at any internet cafes. It cost me Dh35. I enter a pin code given with the card. I speak for an hour with my parents in Iraq for $10 (Dh36) which is cheaper than a mobile phone or land line," she said. She uses it from her home through her internet connection. Residents say the cards are available everywhere, even at some internet cafes, so Sharjah Police are tracking down internet cafes that use and illegally sell internet phone cards to customers wishing to make international calls. Many internet cafe owners say the police are arresting them for selling such cards. One internet cafe owner in the Al Rolla area said the police had arrested him and accused him of stealing phone call units from Etisalat. "The police came to my cafe twice and they took some of my computers. They said that someone had used internet phone cards through one of my computers," said Elias, another internet cafe owner. He said the police came to his cafe accompanied by two Etisalat representatives and accused him of stealing phone calls from Etisalat. "They searched everywhere but they could not find any trace of such cards. We do not sell them. It is not our fault if a customer uses an internet phone card from our computers. We cannot monitor each customer." Sharjah Police reported that they have already shut down more than eight internet cafes in Al Rolla, Al Ghaweer and the Clock Tower area. Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, Etisalat (former Emirtel), is the incumbent telecommunications carrier and Internet Service Provider in the United Arab Emirates. Etisalat provides all types of telecom services in addition to cable TV service. Etisalat is currently moving to a 3G network with 97% of the UAE covered with 3g and NGN concept in its infrastructure. Source: www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/10/23/3035148.htm link post comment

PromoCard Services Launches Latin America Phone Card [Feb. 8th, 2008|08:00 pm] [ Tags | call home, free long distance, hispanic market, latin america, phone cards, promocard, stored value card ] PromoCard Services Launches Latin America Phone Card Helps Marketers Reach Hispanic Market With Free Long Distance PromoCard Services, a provider of stored value card promotions, has added a new Latin-focused promotion to its portfolio, Latin America Phone Cards. This new prepaid phone card promotion offers flat rate calling to Mexico, Central and South America. With over 42 million Hispanics living in the U.S., comprising $800 billion in annual spending, it is no wonder why smart marketers are catering their services to this group. "Brands that are doing the best job of attracting Latino consumers are not just lucky, but regularly utilize credible research to understand how to best satisfy the needs of their potential customers," explains Dr. Edward T. Rincón, principal investigator of a recent survey by Rincon & Associates. For the majority of Hispanics living in the U.S., the telephone is a lifeline to friends and family back home. This is why PromoCard Services has developed the Latin America Phone Card, with flat rate calling to Latin American countries. Marketers select how many minutes they would like to offer recipients, submit their custom phone card artwork and voice greeting, and PromoCard Services handles the long distance and card production. Once received, recipients simply scratch off their PIN code, and may then make calls to any destination in Mexico, Central or South America. Dialing instructions and voice prompts are available in English and Spanish. “The Latin America Phone Cards are key to increasing brand awareness within this market,” says Clare Gray, who handles sales and production for Robustelli Merchandise Services, a company that has been specializing in brand promotions for thirty years. Robustelli recently developed a Latin America Phone Card campaign for its client, Unilever, promoting All laundry detergent and Snuggle fabric softener. The company produced 5,200 $10 cards and 30,000 $5 cards, which were distributed during product demos in key business areas. “The premium was well received by customers, and PromoCard Services proved to be a dependable, reliable vendor,” adds Gray. “I will definitely consider this type of promotion again in the future.” Paul Sorota, president of PromoCard Services, explains, “At PromoCard Services, we strive to create the most effective promotions for each particular client. Brand marketing is not a ‘one size fits all’ proposition. With the Latin America Phone Card, marketers can effectively cater to the Hispanic consumer, putting a valued premium in their hands, and generating ongoing product awareness.” Source: PromoCard Services (promocardservices.com); Robustelli Merchandise Services (rcsltd.com) link post comment

Touch-n-Buy Expands Its International Presence Deploys Systems in Puerto Rico [Jan. 22nd, 2008|11:18 pm] [ Tags | calliing cards, phone cards, prepaid calling card, prepaid phone card, puerto rico, telecards, telecom news, touch-n-buy ] Touch-n-Buy, Inc., has deployed its first Touch-n-Buy touch screen terminals to the market of Puerto Rico. LTT Telecards, Inc. entered into an exclusive agreement with Touch-n-Buy, Inc. to market and distribute its interactive kiosk for prepaid products and services to the island. Touch-n-Buy will provide back end technology as well as various new carrier product lines to over 500 retailers in this area. Touch-n-Buy does not display or store live inventory, instead it enables retailers to offer an entire category of prepaid products and services via an interactive kiosk without worrying about staffing, inventory, shelf space, employee training or theft. Through this relationship, Touch-n-Buy plans to bring retailers a competitive mix of international long distance phone card products as well as wireless replenishment cards from Cingular, T-Mobile, Centennial, Movida and other wireless carriers. “Touch-n-Buy is excited about branching out to yet another Caribbean destination as we have done with the Dominican Republic Market,” said Janet Sancho, Vice President of Sales for Touch-n-Buy. “It is very powerful to establish a link between the U.S. and international prepaid consumers for a complete world-wide network.” Source: www.prepaid-press.com/news_detail.php?t=paper&id=1700 link post comment

Paivis, Corp. Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Detroit Phone Cards, Inc. [Jan. 11th, 2008|05:25 pm] [ Tags | aquisition, calling card, calling cards, detroit phone cards, paivis corp., phone card, phone cards, telephone cards ] Paivis, Corp. is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive agreement with Detroit Phone Cards, Inc., a Detroit, Michigan-based company ("DPC") that generates approximately $30,000,000 in revenue (unaudited) to acquire 100% of its assets. DPC generates approximately $6,000,000 annually in prepaid cellular phone revenue through its O-Mobile brand. The balance of revenue, approximately $24,000,000, is from the sale and distribution of prepaid long distance cards. The closing date is planned for October 31, 2007 or later if extended by mutual agreement. The closing of the acquisition of DPC is subject to completion of a financial audit and other conditions. Paivis has also agreed to provide working capital financing as part of the transaction. For more specifics on the terms and conditions of the acquisition see the definitive agreement which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within the required timeframe. Commenting on the completion of the definitive agreement, Edwin Kwong, Paivis, Corp., Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are very pleased to have reached the definitive agreement stage with DPC. This acquisition not only increases our revenue base and earnings potential, but also expands our distribution and business lines into the GSM Cellular space, through the DPC Get Mobile subsidiary. Additionally, upon closing we will immediately gain cost savings that should add to the bottom line. We look forward to closing and providing more growth and value to our shareholders." Rami Chahine, CEO, of Detroit Phone Cards, stated: "We are thrilled about the completion of our definitive agreement with Paivis. Joining a public company such as Paivis is a tremendous step forward for our company. We believe together we can build a formidable operation to take advantage of the prepaid space. We plan to work closely with Paivis to close the transaction, immediately commence our integration and begin building value as one company for all our shareholders." About Paivis Corp. Paivis, Corp. is a wholesale telecommunications carrier that sells prepaid "point-of-sale activated" and live cards. Paivis generates its revenues through the sale of prepaid calling cards and wireless services, and international wholesale termination. Products are sold throughout many of the country's major retail outlets, including Duane Reade, 7-Eleven, and Chevron. About Detroit Phone Cards, Inc. Headquartered in Dearborn, MI. Detroit Phone Card, Inc. ("DPC") was established in September 01, 1997 as a leading provider of long distance, wireless, point-of-sale and carrier services. Always putting our customers first, we deliver reliable access to advanced, affordable telecommunications products and services that meet their needs at home and around the globe. Currently, our prepaid wireless and calling card products reach consumers through more than 2,000 locations nationwide. We serve more than 30,000 wireless customers and generate over 50 million network minutes per month, with an employee team of 30 people. More info on DPC can be found at the Paivis.com website. Source: www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/10/05/2993986.htm link post comment

Prepaid Calling Card Solution targets service providers [Jan. 2nd, 2008|08:22 pm] [ Tags | calling cards, international calls, internet calling, internet telephone, long distance calls, phone cards, voip. telephony ] IP-based, prepaid service runs on BayPackets' Agility Platform and enables carriers to deploy voice and data services over circuit-switched, hybrid, or packet-based networks. SnowShore Media Server(TM) provides media processing for BayPackets platform. Service includes real-time call rating, support for mobile virtual network operators, branded announcements with customized web portal, multi-language and multi-currency support, and web-based self-provisioning. Comprehensive Solution Enables Service Providers to Quickly and Efficiently Deploy IP-based Prepaid Voice and Data Services INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO, MIAMI - Brooktrout Technology, Inc., a leading supplier of media processing and call control products, and BayPackets, a provider of enhanced voice and data solutions for wireless, wireline and broadband operators, today announced that they have jointly developed a highly scalable IP-based network prepaid calling cards solution for service providers. The combined solution enables carriers to rapidly deploy revenue-generating prepaid calling card services over circuit-switched, hybrid or packet-based networks. BayPackets will be exhibiting its solutions at this week's INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO in booth #312. The IP-based prepaid application runs on BayPackets' Agility Network Services Platform (NSP), which has been designed to scale to support millions of subscribers. Brooktrout's SnowShore Media Server(TM), an open carrier-class IP media server, provides media processing for the BayPackets platform. The Agility Prepaid application comes with a comprehensive feature set that enables service providers to quickly deploy a complete prepaid calling cards service that includes real-time call rating, support for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), branded announcements with a customized web portal, multi-language and multi-currency support, and web-based self-provisioning. "Though historically dominated by long distance calling cards , growth in the prepaid market has exploded in the last few years with new services and new business models," said Ken Epps, CEO of BayPackets. "The BayPackets/Brooktrout solution enables service providers -- including traditional carrier operators, prepaid specialists, MVNOs, and stored value card providers -- to quickly and cost-effectively launch new, flexible prepaid voice and data products over today's circuit-switched and packet-based networks." "Brooktrout's partnership with BayPackets makes it possible for service providers to rapidly deliver exciting prepaid services by extending the capabilities of BayPackets' platform," said Eric Giler, president of Brooktrout. "Brooktrout is pleased to continue its leadership in enabling innovative revenue generating applications by partnering with companies like BayPackets." "The prepaid market is shifting models and growing into new segments. In addition to penny-wise new Americans wanting to call families in their country of birth who have historically accounted for about half of the prepaid long distance card revenue, many new segments are discovering the advantages of prepaid products," said Judy Reed Smith, CEO of Atlantic-ACM. "The growth of the prepaid wireless products, the number of clever new mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), and the reach and speed of the stored value products give clues as to what is ahead for prepaid." To learn more about the state of the prepaid market, short-term and long- term growth opportunities, and successful prepaid VoIP deployments, join Fierce VoIP, BayPackets and Brooktrout for a webinar entitled: "The New Prepaid Paradigm: VoIP, MVNOs and Stored Value Cards" on Thursday, March 3 at 1pmEST/10amPST. Prepaid industry expert, Dr. Judy Reed Smith, CEO of Atlantic-ACM, will be the host and moderator of the session. BayPackets Agility Network Services Platform (NSP): The BayPackets Agility NSP is an open, flexible service delivery platform that enables operators to rapidly generate new revenues and better retain customers through highly differentiated services and service bundles. This carrier-grade service delivery platform seamlessly operates on circuit- switched, packet-based or converged networks. In addition to applications such as Prepaid, Unified Messaging, Conferencing, Voice VPN, Advanced Toll Free, and others, BayPackets provides a complete Software Development Kit (SDK) with tools and resources to quickly build new services. The creation, deployment, and management of applications and their service logic are decoupled from the underlying network, enabling operators to deliver and administer multiple services on the same platform, all from a single point in their network. Brooktrout's SnowShore Media Server: Brooktrout's SnowShore Media Server is an open, carrier class media processing resource that can support a broad range of applications, from basic messaging and multiparty calling to prepaid services and network announcements. Because it is an open software architecture and uses small- footprint, industry-standard server platforms and standards-based IP protocols, the SnowShore Media Server can leverage the ongoing evolution of network architectures and processor technology to deliver a flexible media processing solution for next-generation IP applications. link post comment

Titan's Oblio Telecom Division Announces Launch of Four New Prepaid Phone Cards Products [Dec. 19th, 2007|10:05 am] [ Tags | calling card, calling cards, phone card, phone card stop, phone cards, telecom, titan oblio ] Titan Global Holdings, Inc. or Titan is a diversified holding company with a dynamic portfolio of subsidiaries capitalizing on multi-billion dollar worldwide markets spanning international telecommunications, electronics and homeland security, consumer products and energy resources.Company Continues to Expand Market Share and Improve Margins with New International Long Distance Products Powered Starttalk Division. They announced that a unit of Titan Communications and the second largest publicly traded prepaid calling card company, Oblio Telecom division, has launched four additional brand-name prepaid calling card products. The products are designed to target the ever-expanding Latin-American market, and will be powered by the Company's Starttalk division. Starttalk, Inc., a unit of Titan's Communication Division, owns, leases and operates switching equipment that terminates international long distance calls. Titan's customers access Starttalk equipment directly to complete international long distance calls. Starttalk has strategic agreements with wholesale carriers to terminate customer calls in a high quality, cost effective manner. "Our Communication's division is exploiting unique opportunities to respond to changing market conditions in a rapid fashion as an integrated network operator," said Bryan Chance, President and Chief Executive Officer of Titan Global Holdings. "We will continue to work closely with our distribution channels and customers to quickly develop and deploy trusted products to market. Based on the economies of scale in our Starttalk division, these incremental revenues will provide increased shareholder returns as we accelerate planned launches in the coming weeks and months." Source: Phone Card Shop link post comment

Coinstar Adds New Prepaid Products [Dec. 12th, 2007|04:17 pm] [ Tags | calling card, calling cards, mexico calling card, new phone cards, phone card, phone cards, telephone card, unlimited mexico ] Coinstar E-Payment Services Inc., a Coinstar, Inc. company, has added two new products to its Pay as You Go program. These new products, Azteca Mobile and Ilimitado Mexico (Unlimited Mexico), are geared towards Hispanic Mexican communities. Azteca Mobile is a prepaid wireless program that provides seamless voice and data capabilities, including two-way radio services and phone numbers for both the U.S. and Mexico. Unlimited Mexico from TeleCents Communications is a pay per call card that can be used from any phone. By dialing a specified domestic toll-free access number, international long-distance calling rates are eliminated. Azteca Mobile and Unlimited Mexico are two examples of how the Coinstar Pay As You Go program can create a retail destination with traffic-building products and services targeted to a key demographic. “We are very pleased to expand our portfolio of innovative products specifically designed for Hispanic Mexican communities,” said Steve Verleye, senior vice president and general manager of E-Pay services at Coinstar, Inc. “Individuals of Mexican origin are the largest group of Hispanics living in the United States, and we see an increasing demand for products that are reasonably priced that resonate with this target group, while providing ultimate shopper convenience.” Coinstar’s Pay As You Go product suite includes universal and single brand gift cards, national and regional wireless programs, long distance cards, prepaid debit cards, and money transfer. This turnkey program is available to convenience stores and other retailers to drive incremental traffic and revenue. With no upfront costs, Coinstar provides retailers with a complete category management solution including point-of-sale integration, inventory set-up and management, retail merchandising, and reporting. Source: Coinstar, Inc. (www.coinstar.com) link

Pizza Patron Debuts Groundbreaking 'Unlimited' Phone Card to Mexico [Dec. 2nd, 2007|01:40 pm] [ Tags | calling card, calling cards, mexico calling cards, mexico phone cards, phone card, phone cards, telephone cards, unlimited call to mexico ] Pizza and prepaid phone cards: The marketing synergy may not leap out at you right away. Pizza Patron has been named the premier distributor for the initial launch of BlagCard(TM), the world's first truly unlimited calling card to Mexico. The chain will begin retailing the cards in each of its 65 locations beginning Friday, July 27th. The new calling cards are the result of a strategic alliance between Pizza Patron Inc. and BlagPhone(TM) International. All calls will be carried on the AT&T network. "This partnership means much more than just pizza and phones," said Anthony Knape, CEO/President of BlagCard, Inc. and BlagPhone, Inc. "We get deep satisfaction and joy from participation in the vitality of the Hispanic culture, the uniting of families and the living of an unstoppable dream." Pizza Patron is small but nationally known, Mr. Knape says, which allowed BlagCard to enter the market in a limited way while making a big splash with the target market. "We wanted to control the ramp-up so that we could maintain quality of service while we build up the volume and work out the kinks," Mr. Knape says. "Pizza Patron's relationship with the community made it an obvious plus for us." Unlike traditional calling cards which charge by the minute, these new cards allow unlimited calling to any area code in Mexico with no additional charges or penalties. The cards are available in three denominations -- five, ten and thirty dollars and will allow for unlimited talk for two, seven and thirty days respectively. Customers will have the option of purchasing cards in either U.S. currency or Mexican pesos. The introduction of the phone cards comes on the heels of four consecutive quarters of double-digit, same store sales increases for the chain. "We are extremely excited about what this product brings to our customers," said Andrew Gamm, director of Brand Development for Pizza Patron. "The phone card industry is notorious for its deceptive marketing practices, and for preying on the most vulnerable segments within the immigrant population. Now, for the first time ever, we have a phone card to Mexico that does not punish the caller. We are very proud to truly offer 'Mas Minutos' for 'Menos Dinero' to the families that visit our stores." Source: www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/07/23/2803638.htm link

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