August 10, 2011 09:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time
New kiosk lets consumers buy mobile SIM cards, phone credit and pay bills quickly and easily at stores and convenient locations
CYPRUS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is today launching the NCR SelfServ™ Bill Pay Kiosk hardware, software and managed services payment solution with SIM card dispensing in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region to meet the needs of fast-growing telecoms companies. The innovative self-service solution enables consumers to quickly and easily purchase SIM cards, top up pre-paid mobiles and pay bills by cash, credit or debit card. Major telecom providers in the Middle East are already using the solution.
“NCR is responding to the strategic challenges of telecoms providers in the Middle East and Africa, who operate in one of the fastest growing and competitive markets in the world”
The self-service solution can help telecom operators capture more market share by enabling their in-store staff to focus on helping consumers with more complex questions about new products or services, rather than dealing with payment transactions. The kiosks are also ideally suited to offsite shopping malls, airports or railway stations, offering anytime, anywhere convenience for consumers.
NCR has designed the solution to meet the specific market needs in MEA, where consumers are increasingly buying multiple SIM cards for different pricing plans or personal and business calls. One in ten mobile phones sold in the region are now dual SIM on average, according to GfK, a market research company, and triple SIM card devices are being launched.
NCR also anticipates demand from tourists or migrant workers who opt to buy SIM cards for “unlocked” phones to be able to make calls when they are abroad rather than incurring expensive voice and data roaming charges from their home network operators.
“NCR is responding to the strategic challenges of telecoms providers in the Middle East and Africa, who operate in one of the fastest growing and competitive markets in the world,” said Nadine Routhier, vice president, NCR Telecom & Technology. “By delivering innovation to meet local market needs we are helping operators transform their businesses by increasing productivity while offering customers a choice and flexibility of channel, resulting in an improved customer experience.”
NCR’s software can vend SIM cards to any consumer or only those who have presented their proof of identity at a store and have an account with the mobile operator, according to local legal requirements. It also takes into account any regulatory policy limiting the number of SIM cards registered under individual customers' names if required.
Telecom operators can optimize their return on investment in the kiosks with NCR's managed services. NCR offers a complete portfolio of support services designed to increase availability and enhance consumer interactions while improving operational efficiency such as remote system monitoring and 24/7 help desk support.
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a global technology company leading how the world connects, interacts and transacts with business. NCR’s assisted- and self-service solutions and comprehensive support services address the needs of retail, financial, travel, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, gaming, public sector, telecom carrier and equipment organizations in more than 100 countries. NCR (www.ncr.com) is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia.
Follow us on Twitter: @NCRCorporation, @careersatncr, and @ncrhealthcare
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/ncrgroup
Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation
NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.
