Canada’s NTG Clarity Networks Inc. been awarded a contract by INTERLINK, through its strategic marketing partner in Kuwait, Middle East Digital Communications (MEDCOMM Systems), to design, build and operate a financial clearinghouse for roaming settlement that will allow subscribers to purchase services across multiple GSM-based networks in the Gulf region.
In the Middle East market, where more than 70 percent of the mobile subscribers have prepaid accounts, NTG's solution will make it easier for customers to buy services directly from their mobile phones via an IVR and a secure web portal.
For the first time, prepaid subscribers will have a more convenient roaming capability and be able to "top up" their accounts and purchase new services across multiple participating networks in the Gulf States region.
When fully operational, the Clearing House will streamline settlement processes and data collection cycles, facilitate the roaming of prepaid phones, provide online processing of billing data and manage roaming data traffic and data services.
"We chose NTG as a strategic partner because of their strong expertise in designing and integrating networks and developing network-based applications", said Naser Karmi, managing director of MEDCOMM Systems. "We were particularly impressed with the speed at which NTG can bring such a complex solution to market and their ability to provide full support in the Middle East."
"This contract substantiates NTG's growth strategy in pursuing international opportunities that capitalize on the company's extensive networking, telecom and software development expertise", commented Ashraf Zaghloul, NTG Clarity's Chairman and CEO.
"Our Roaming Subscriber Clearing House solution demonstrates NTG's vision in delivering world-class technology solutions that provide a high return on investment for our customers and enable them to offer added value services. We look forward to growing our relationship with MEDCOMM in pursuing many more new opportunities in the Middle East."
The first phase of the multi phase rollout will be launched within 90 days to mobile subscribers in Kuwait. The contract is valued at approximately one million dollars plus annual support fees and a revenue sharing agreement that gives NTG access to a percentage of the revenues generated from settlement and clearinghouse fees.
Established in 1992, NTG Clarity has been delivering network, Information Technology (IT) and infrastructure solutions to network service providers and large enterprises. More than 180 network professionals provide design, documentation, implementation and security expertise to the industry's leading network service providers and enterprises.
NTG Clarity's services are offered internationally, with offices and operations currently in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Chicago and Cairo.
MEDCOMM was established and incorporated in 2001 as a regional consultancy company and a think-tank that caters for telecommunication services. With an established presence in the telecommunication services in Kuwait, the company expanded to Qatar and Lebanon.
INTERLINK is a new company, established with the vision to provide the first pan-Arab financial and data clearing services for the Telecom operators in the region. INTERLINK is owned by Al-Nafisi Group and MEDCOMM. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
