Vodafone Service to Save New Zealand $47.3 Million

Tuesday, 5 April 2005, 10:14 am
Press Release: Vodafone

Media Release from Vodafone NZ
Tuesday 5th April 2005

New Vodafone Service to Save New Zealand $47.3 Million

New Zealand could save up to $47.3 million* in productivity per annum as a result of the introduction of a new system to top up mobile credit, that also marks a giant step forward in Mobile Commerce innovation.

Following extensive development, Vodafone today announced the launch of an exclusive new service – HotLinkTM – that allows New Zealanders to top up their Prepay or On Account balance directly from a nominated bank account using their mobile.

Initially HotLinkTM will only be available to Vodafone users with a Bank of New Zealand bank account, however, other major banks are expected to be onboard soon.

Eighty percent of Vodafone’s customers rely on Prepay mobiles. It is estimated that it takes each customer an average of 10 minutes once a month to buy a Prepay recharge card.

HotLinkTM will give customers the option to choose to top up their credit anywhere and at any time directly from their mobile, even overseas in Australia, UK and Spain.

Vodafone Head of mCommerce, Hamish Sansom says these statistics confirm the need for an innovative solution which will help save time and provide greater convenience for mobile users everywhere.

“Our market research told us that HotLinkTM is a service mobile customers are crying out for,” Sansom says.

“Apart from the hassle of stopping to buy more credit, there is nothing worse than running out of airtime at a crucial moment. This new service will allow you to top up any where and at any time within the New Zealand, Australia, Spain and UK Vodafone network.

“Not only can you top up your own mobile credit, you can use HotLinkTM to top up someone else’s. That means parents can give credit instead of cash to kids, and friends short of cash can top up a mate when borrowing a few dollars,” said Hamish Sansom.

Customers can register to use HotLinkTM by completing a simple and secure 10 second process at a Bank of New Zealand ATM.

The new technology allows customers to access their personal bank account by typing their debit card pin into the mobile and selecting up to $200 in credit per day. When the transaction is complete a text message is sent for confirmation.

“HotLinkTM is another huge step forward for New Zealand as we move into the mCommerce era which will see our lifestyles and payment options for all sorts of products and service evolve with technology.

“Vodafone is thrilled to be leading the charge in mCommerce innovation and we have our eyes on a number of other exciting new services to be announced in the next 18 months,” Sansom says.

Special offers until the end of May –
1. Vodafone users who register for HotLinkTM will receive First Time Rewards the first time they top up or pay their On Account! (valid to end May 05)
2. Top up someone else using HotLinkTM and be rewarded with 10 free text messages per top up. (minimum $20, valid to end Sept 05)

ENDS

About Vodafone

Vodafone New Zealand Ltd is part of Vodafone Group Plc, the world’s largest mobile community, with more than 151.8 million proportionate customers worldwide. The company has equity interests in 26 countries over five continents and Partner Networks in a further thirteen countries.

As at December 2004 Vodafone New Zealand has more than 1.8 million customers on its fully digital network providing coverage to 97 per cent of the population.

* Based on cost benefit evaluation procedures Transfund/LandTransport NZ (LTNZ)

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