SIM Toolkit Enables Handset Based Top-ups

The smart card provider, Gemplus and iPIN are to launch a PrePay top-up system, called - GeM-Reload powered by iPIN. The system will give customers the ability to top-up their PrePay accounts anytime, anywhere with a click of their mobile phone. Through a menu-driven application running on the handset, customers can choose from several different credit or bank accounts to top-up their own, or another individual's pre-paid account. This mobile reload solution also alerts customers when account balances fall below a preset level, so they may replenish their account before running out of minutes.

With customers retaining the SIM in their phones, operators' can also target offers, incentive schemes and new services according to different market segments and deliver it to these pre-pay customers.

Gemplus will provide the interface on the handset through the implementation of STK technology. The iPIN EPP will offer the comprehensive payment functionality that manages the complete payment lifecycle, including transaction capture, authentication, authorization, accounting, settlement, reconciliation and customer care. When Telco operators decide to expand m-commerce initiatives beyond pre-paid top-up, they can leverage iPIN's scalable, plug-in architecture and add functionality in areas such as content charging and cash replacement for payments at Points of sale.'"

Posted to the site on 17th June 2002