The objective of the project to simplify end user activation of mobile value added service.

A value-added service (VAS) is a telecommunication industry term for non-core services or, in short, all services beyond standard voice calls. Health, entertainment and financial are just a few of the services that provided by across networks in Africa.

The prevalence of low end Mobile Handsets is a major factor in the uptake and penetration of mobile value added services. Already some of these services are been provided by various Governments, NGOs and private organizations across Africa.

Many services are not performing to their potentials despite their usefulness and many others which cannot be introduced. As the mobile markets grows, most new entrants are the low ARPU end users as most big spenders had already been taken up and hence most mobile handset coming on board might not have the features that support advance technologies.

Most, if not all mobile data services, are highly dependant on the accurate configuration of the handset. It’s a problem that continues to act as a barrier to the adoption and success of mobile data services on the African continent, where a large number of new phones are sold without the necessary service configurations pre-installed.

It can be argued that, it is not the prevalence of low end devices, BUT the lack of correct settings on the handset. We will continue to see low end devices in the market, while value services are been rolled out. See the diagram below:

Moota

Mobile operators across Africa provide various levels of client provisioning on their networks. However, I have found several shortcomings with nearly all these services;

* The process is not user-friendly, is tedious and confusing in some cases.
* As many operators do not know or have accurate statistics on the type and make of handsets on their network, the list of “possible” devices is an over kill
* Some do not provide any list of handsets at all; leaving the subscriber to figure that out
* If a subscriber changes handset, the system has no way to detect and upgrade the settings

It is clear that opportunities are been missed with the current status of Client provisioning in Africa. What is needed is an automatic over the air client provisioning. A solution that ensures the subscribers always has updated settings on their phone. This is critical in enabling operators to realize investment return on value added services. It will also reduce the number of customer service request from customers lacking correct settings.

The focus should be on improving the limitations of low end devices, and simplifying end user processes. Our solution focus should also be on making it possible for content providers and organizations achieving their strategic and operational objectives.

Francis Stevens George

VP Africa, Moota Telecom

Oslo, Norway.

Moota Telecom

Moota Telecom is currently supplying Auto Client Provisioning system (ACPS) for configuration of subscribers’ mobile phones. The solution ensures that subscribers always have updated settings on their phone. This is critical in enabling operators to realise investment return on value added services. It will also reduce the number of customer service request from customers lacking correct settings.

With a high number of low end devices, operator’s faces a challenge to realised returns on investment in value added services. Further, many operators are unable to have an accurate statistics on the numbers and type of devices used on their network.

Our Auto Client Provisioning System provides a solution to these challenges. By analysing log files generated from the billing system (based on CDRs), our system is able to detect devices in the network. This system also knows when a subscriber changes device. New devices (if they’re connected to the network) will then receive an OTA configuration message with e.g, WAP and MMS settings.

The Device Detection System together with Moota’s Client Provisioning System (CPS) makes up the Auto Client Provisioning System (ACPS). The ACPS enables operators to offer automatic and seamless provisioning of client settings for their subscribers.

This adds value for the operator as it reduces the number of customer service request from customers lacking correct settings. The system also adds value as it enables a user friendly value added service activation functionality. Service action is essential to the successful uptake of value added services.

While our system solves the provisioning of the handset, it also offers significant collateral value to the operator. Some of these are presented below:

· Offer move value to customers through lower customer service costs

· Statistics on device types on the Network

· Enhance mobile marketing. For example, if the marketing aim to get the user with a certain device to activate a service.

· Possible for the operator to offer end to end device management to increase ARPU

If you need any further information, kindly send me email at francis (at) moota.com
Remember to change the (at) to @. Our website: http://www.moota.com