Swiss telecoms provider BeeOne is to launch an online version of its market-leading calling card product using the DIGITALK Multiservice Platform (MSP).
The DIGITALK Web Calling Card feature will give BeeOne customers an alternative to making calls from a fixed-line, mobile or payphone, by using the internet, but without the need to subscribe to complex VoIP services that require users to download software and submit credit card details.
The card is one of the first of its kind in Europe to combine traditional calling cards with web-based functionality and will allow BeeOne to target a series of new customer segments, including expatriates and heavy-internet users.
According to BeeOne research, expatriates working at the United Nations Offices (UNO) in Geneva, for example, look for a multi-mode calling card that allows VoIP calls to be made from the office and traditional calls to be made from the home. The survey also found that consumers are often reluctant to disclose their credit card details online. The Web Calling Card solves these problems.
As the card is able to make calls over the internet and via the traditional telephone network, BeeOne is able to offer customers double the minutes when calling via the website, while maintaining the convenience of a calling card that can be accessed via a standard telephone. Customers can also access to a host of additional online features, including call history and real time balance enquiry.
The prepaid calling card, branded as “Flash”, can be bought from any retail outlet in Switzerland and can be used to makes calls from any telephone or computer that has a broadband connection, including internet cafés and WiFi Hotspots.
Unlike most PC-based VoIP offerings, the calling cards are easy to use and require no special downloads or hardware installations, allowing them to be used at any computer with an internet connection using either a USB phone or headset. To access the service users simply visit www.myflashplanet.net and enter the predefined PIN shown on the calling card, followed by the number they want to call.
“With more than 3 million cards sold under the Flash brand, our customers are already familiar with using our calling cards via fixed-line, mobiles and payphones but the new web-based service will allow us to significantly expand their appeal into new customer segments,” said José Luis Herrero, BeeOne Co-Founder and Managing Director. “DIGITALK’s calling card solution has allowed us to build customer loyalty, which will allow us to increase revenues from our calling card product.”
“Our web calling card product is becoming extremely popular with service providers such as BeeOne who are looking to extend their traditional calling card offerings into the online world,” said Mark Ashdown, Sales and Marketing Director, DIGITALK. “Not only will it mean cheaper calls for customers but will also prove a compelling alternative to existing PC-based VoIP offerings, which are often too complicated for most people to use. This feature is one of the many reasons why more and more providers are using our platform to launch innovative new voice services.”
BeeOne’s Flash product is already the best selling calling card in Switzerland accounting for over 60 million voice minutes per year.
The DIGITALK Web Calling Card solution is a turnkey and service-ready feature of the Calling Card product, and is designed to be deployed as either a traditional Calling Card solution, or within a call shop environment.
Access to the service is provided by an integrated Calling Card Web Phone Server and all rating is completed by the DIGITALK Multiservice Platform (MSP), using either the DIGITALK Media Application Server or VoIP-enabled Intelligent Switch.
DIGITALK Web Calling Card is completely integrated with the DIGITALK NSMS (Network and Service Management Suite) which provides full billing and rating capabilities.