Clickatell and VCASH Launch Auto-Recharge Airtime for MTN, Airtel and rest

Clickatell and Virtual Terminal Network (VCASH) Launch Auto-Recharge Airtime Platform for MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Glo in Nigeria

Clickatell and Virtual Terminal Network (VCASH) Launch Auto-Recharge Airtime Platform for MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Glo in Nigeria VTN VCASH subscribers in Nigeria can now set their phones for auto-recharge LAGOS, Nigeria,  December 02, 2013 – Clickatell, a leading mobile enablement provider in Nigeria with a fast growing PIN-less airtime distribution business, and VTNetwork Limited, which runs VCASH and which is one of Nigeria’s leading mobile payment operators, today launched an automated airtime buying platform in Nigeria – giving ordinary Nigerians, for the first time, auto-recharge capabilities on their mobile phones.  This state-of-the-art service provides instantaneous capability to automatically load value onto phones in real time when their balances approach zero and it works on the MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Glo networks.   “100% of our 1 million users use airtime everyday and need this service,” said Peter Ojo, VTNetwork CEO adding it works on every phone in the market.  “Even simple phone can utilize auto-recharge.” VCASH subscribers can use auto-recharge 24/7 to replenish set amounts of value according to their wishes.  The power is in the system’s ability to detect in real time that a phone‘s airtime is nearly used up based on a subscriber’s set usage pattern, and to then invoke airtime and apply the minutes to the phone.  The process is invisible but the control is in each VCASH user’s hands, with settings selections made via a mobile phone or online.   Monies in e-wallet attract reward points which extend the buying power of subscribers.    With a population of more than 160 million, Nigeria has mobile phone penetration of 105 million and a massive market for airtime sales.  Samson Isa, Clickatell Director for West Africa said, “Clickatell is pleased to launch this auto-recharge service in collaboration with VCASH in Nigeria. Being able to top up one’s phone automatically, on presets determined by each user, is groundbreaking work by VCASH for Nigeria and we are pleased with this association.  These locally-grown innovations are what make this an exciting industry.  Each of our markets is different.”   Peter Ojo, Chief Executive Officer, VTN, said, “You’ll never again be cut off when making an important call; As simple as that”.  He said “we have automated the airtime vending whereby Nigerians can conveniently schedule and do virtual top ups any time  any day on MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat Networks.  Now, Nigerians in the Diasporas can recharge the phones of aged parents, children and loved ones back home through our VCASH-Western Union® electronic payment partnership. The VCASH Account Funding Options The funding options include online bank transfers and deposits at a bank branch, cash-in deposits through one of VCASH’s 4,000 agents, via VCASH Reload card or via a Western Union® money transfer.  In addition to buying airtime, monies in a user’s VCASH account can also be sent to other VCASH users (person to person transfer- P2P) or used to pay bills and to purchase goods or services.  VCASH partnership with NIBSS’ eBillspay enables transfer of funds from customer bank accounts into their VCASH e-wallets. -ENDS- About Clickatell, Inc.   Clickatell is a global leader in mobile messaging and transaction services, which enable its customers to connect, interact and transact with their business partners and communities on the mobile phone. Clickatell’s global footprint means that it can deliver short message services (SMS) through it’s next-generation Clickatell Message eXchange (CMneXt) to over 860 mobile networks in over 220 countries and territories, with the potential to reach 6 billion mobile phone users - more than 80 percent of the world’s population.  In addition, with Clickatell Transaction eXchange (CTX), it provides the essential link between mobile consumers and their financial institution, with services like airtime top-up. More than 15,000 enterprise, government, medium and small business customers and application developers have embraced Clickatell’s technology solutions.  Founded in 2000, Clickatell is headquartered in Redwood City, California and has received equity from a number of the world's premier venture capital institutions, notably Sequoia Capital, Ethos Private Equity, DAG Ventures and Dantink Investments.  To learn more, visit http://www.clickatell.com/ About VTNETWORK Limited “First to make it possible for Nigerians to pick up Western Union® via their mobile phone targeting $21b yearly remittance to Nigeria” VTNETWORK LIMITED is a leader in Nigerian payment services with a patent-pending mobile payment platform has been tested in Nigeria since 2007 with over 1,000,000 registered users and fully licensed by CBN in 2012 for mobile payments. The platform is unique due to its hybrid nature, the redundancy of its fully-fledged capabilities and management knowledge of Nigerian digital consumers.  VTN was the first to make it possible for Nigerians to pick up Western Union® via their mobile phone, targeting US$21 billion annual remittances to Nigeria, among other ground breaking innovations introduced to the market.  The company serves both m-payment and e-payment needs in the Nigerian market place.   For more information, visit http://www.virtualterminalnetwork.com