| 39714 | FTS |
Sampoerna Telecom Indonesia (STI) Successfully Deploys FTS’ Convergent Prepaid-Postpaid Billing Platform
FTS’ Leap™ Billing Provides Innovative Solution with Single Rating Engine and Single Product Catalog London, UK | September 23, 2008: FTS (LSE: FTS), a global provider of Billing, CRM and Business Control solutions for communication and content service providers, today announced that Sampoerna Telecom Indonesia (STI), has successfully deployed FTS’ convergent prepaid-postpaid billing and customer care solution for its entire subscriber base. STI is a growing telecommunications provider which operates in Indonesia under the Ceria brand name. “Convergent prepaid/postpaid business models are ranking high on carriers’ wish list. We see more and more carriers evaluating and in the process of launching hybrid billing scenarios,” said Ari Banerjee, Director, Enabling Technologies Service Provider Software Solutions The Yankee Group. “The uniqueness of Leap Billing is its ability to deliver true convergence which embodies the promise of high performance and reduced OPEX.” FTS’ innovative Leap Billing features a single unified system that provides one rating engine, one product catalog and a single customer care interface, all working over a single customer database. The FTS solution enables STI to define a single set of services and prices that are available for its entire customer base regardless of whether they are using prepaid plans or paying a monthly subscription. The unique platform allows for the easy transition of customers between the various payment methods as well as supporting “hybrid” customers. “We looked at various convergent billing solutions, and concluded that we needed a converged system – with single rating and customer care – not only to save on CAPEX and OPEX but also because true convergence enables us to offer sophisticated, customer-oriented unified services and tariffs,” said Neil Wijayaratne, STI’s Chief Information Officer. “FTS provided us with such a system, and we are certainly seeing the benefits so far.” “This deployment demonstrates, once again, FTS’ market leading capabilities in creating end-to-end, converged billing systems,” added Gil Hurwitz, FTS’ Chief Operating Officer. “By using Leap Billing’s innovative platform, STI’s business users are empowered to introduce attractive new service plans in real time, responding to immediate customers needs.” FTS was the prime contractor for the solution that includes mediation, rating, online and offline charging, billing, customer care, voucher management and supports all types of services including voice and data. The real-time charging platform enables unlimited rating flexibility, combined with robust single and multi-concurrent balance management. About STI PT Sampoerna Telekomunikasi Indonesia is the sole licensee of CDMA2000 1X technology at 450 MHz band in the country. Given its technology advantage, STI focuses on offering telecommunication access to the previously underserved and underprivileged rural markets. STI has created an honest, simple and affordable communication service that is easily understood and readily customizable by our consumers in our markets via differentiated marketing and brand values. STI has nationwide coverage, allowing the company to bridge the rural-urban communities. STI is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia and has regional offices in all provincial markets across the country. About FTS FTS (LSE: FTS) is a leading provider of Billing, CRM and Business Control solutions for communications, content and service providers. By analyzing events from a business standpoint rather than just billing them, FTS allows providers to better understand their customer base and leverage business value from every event and interaction. FTS deploys its full range of end-to-end, stand-alone and add-on solutions to customers in over 40 countries and has implemented solutions in wireless, wireline, cable, content and broadband markets including multiple cross-network installations. Serving the evolving needs of both traditional and next generation service providers, the company’s operations comprise four international R&D locations and strategically-located sales support offices worldwide. In 2007, FTS was voted the ‘Most Promising Company’ at the prestigious TeleStrategies Billing and OSS World industry event. For more information please visit http://www.fts-soft.com/. Sonus PR for FTS Martin Smith, Tel. +44 20 7903 5454, martin.smith@sonuspr.com
