Intelligent Prepaid Platform
On the modern telecoms market, the growth of subscriber base largely depends on subscribers, who need precise control over their spending. Prepaid services can be a good solution for such customers.
Prepaid technology is attractive for those subscribers who appreciate simple contracts, absence of bills, and ability to get their current balance any time, anywhere.
CBOSSprepaid Intelligent Prepaid Platform from CBOSS Association ensures flexibility, scalability and reliability for high service quality.
System Operation
A prepaid subscriber dials the destination number, and call details are transmitted to the CBOSSprepaid server that checks the customer balance and calculates available airtime. If the called subscriber is also prepaid, the system verifies his balance and calculates available airtime. Next, CBOSSprepaid commands the switch to establish the connection. As soon as available airtime is used up, and the balance is exhausted, subscribers are disconnected.
Key Features
Multiple standard support
CBOSSprepaid is customized to fit the telco’s standard. In GSM networks CBOSSprepaid supports SIM cards; in NMT, AMPS/DAMPS, CDMA networks - prepaid phones.
Service activation
CBOSSprepaid service is activated at the first call, or at the purchase of a SIM card or phone. Activation “at first call” is used by operators that do not need subscriber registration. Otherwise, it is more convenient to activate the service in the operator’s or dealer’s office.
Customer alerts and notifications
The following alert and notification options are available:
- Tonal alert on low balance. CBOSSprepaid in the Classic IN configuration allows the administrator to set the alert start time. CBOSSprepaid in the Service Node configuration allows the specification of alert thresholds.
- SMS notification on balance after the last call.
- Interactive IVR notification on balance, registered payments, terms of service, tariffs, etc.
SMS and IVR notifications can be initiated by both the telco and customers.
Account top-up
Subscribers can top up their accounts in any convenient way by:
- Scratch cards
- Cash payments
- Non-cash payments
- Bankcards
- Other methods provided by the telecom operator.
Roaming services
CBOSSprepaid supports two roaming schemes: CAMEL and USSD-Callback-enabled roaming.
CAMEL (supported by CBOSSprepaid(IN) only) allows prepaid roamers to feel themselves at home in the visited network. The comprehensive roaming services include, apart from online rating, a whole range of value-added services, and are very attractive to mobile subscribers.
Sometimes, however, this technology is unavailable, e.g. in CBOSSprepaid(SN), or if the visited network does not support CAMEL. Thus there is a risk that the call will bypass the home network; that is why prepaid customers are not allowed to make calls. However, as incoming connection is possible, CBOSSprepaid allows USSD-Callback-based roaming.
Using USSD-Callback, the customer can bypass the restrictions for outgoing connection and make a call. To do this, he needs to send a USSD request for connection to the Callback server. For the roamer, such a call will be classified as incoming (from the Callback server), and thus permitted. However, such connection will be charged as outgoing basing on the customer location.
Rating
With a multipurpose, flexible rating scheme, telecom operators can create versatile rating plans and personalized prepaid service bundles.
CBOSSprepaid offers the widest rating options:
- Various rating units depending on call type and direction (incoming, outgoing, local, long-distance, international, etc.)
- Region-based rating
- Special rating for closed user groups
- Support of Friends&Family technology
- Discounts based on multiple conditions: call direction and duration, active services/service usage, subscriber loyalty, location, etc.
- Special prices for calls to special numbers (e.g. to airline ticket office), and many other ways to modify call rating.
Integration
CBOSSprepaid seamlessly integrates with:
- Various billing systems including CBOSSbcc - to boost QoS and offer more facilities to subscribers (e.g. change of settlement scheme from prepaid to postpaid and vice versa) and telco’s staff (e.g. unified statistics on prepaid and postpaid subscribers).
- Short Message Service centers including CBOSSsms - to notify subscribers of their balance, registered payments, suspensions, etc.
- Various IVR and Internet service systems including CBOSSacc and CBOSSics – to take the load off the telco’s Customer Care and enhance QoS.
- Network management systems, e.g. CBOSStmn – to control system operation.
- CBOSScallBack and CBOSSussd or similar third party systems – for USSD-Callback-enabled roaming.
Benefits
- Larger customer base
CBOSSprepaid is an efficient tool for expanding the customer base and attracting new subscriber categories. - Stronger customer loyalty
Better QoS due to various methods of account recharging and timely notifications of all account operations. - Higher revenue
Operators can generate additional revenue due to multifunctional, flexible rating system and prepaid roaming. - No last call fraud
CBOSSprepaid ensures financial control over subscribers and prevent fraudulent customer behaviour. - Wider service range
Open interface support allows communications with external systems. The system capacities can be expanded through integration with CBOSS and third party products.
If CBOSSprepaid is installed as CBOSSbcc option, the telecom operator gains additional benefits:
- Integrated reports received through the single user interface, one analytical system for processing of versatile data (e.g. CBOSSdss)
- Integrated prepaid/postpaid database.
