Etisalat, the UAE’s largest telecom provider, has appointed Network International, the largest acquirer in the UAE and the preferred card solutions provider in the region, to provide electronic Voucher service (e-Voucher) in the UAE. The e-Voucher service is among the fastest-growing and most desirable areas of expansion and the tie-up aims to augment the convenience of this environmentally friendly payment option to Etisalat customers across the country. The e-Voucher solution brings distinctive advantages over conventional scratch-card based prepaid recharge options. While it enhances customer buying experience, it eliminates costs of plastic voucher administration, production and distribution, protection against theft and reduction of fraud risk. It offers merchants complete independence from the prepaid cards stock situation, enabling them to recharge conveniently. The retailer benefits from a reduced burden of inventory management at lesser investment in stock inventory. “We are pleased to partner with Etisalat and create a strong customer proposition for our services which will enable Etisalat’s prepaid customers to conduct recharge transactions. We look forward to working closely with Etisalat, who have strong credentials and a scalable product portfolio in the telecommunications sector.” said Mr. Abdulla Qassem, Chairman, Network International. The electronic voucher approach reduces the time and cost of traditional vouchering while offering Etisalat’s prepaid customers a convenient service to top-up credit anytime and anywhere. Commenting on the service agreement, Mr. Khalifa Al Shamsi, Sr. Vice President - Marketing at Etisalat said, “Etisalat has an extensive and reliable distribution network that has been an important contributing factor in reaching our services to our valued customers all over the UAE. We look forward to working with Network International to encourage customers use environmentally-friendly plastic free recharge system which not only offers security and greater convenience but importantly, brings a welcome alternative to less environmentally friendly options.” “We at Network International believe the onus of bringing any new technology to this region is with us & it is imperative that we always offer cutting edge technology to our clients. Etisalat has a large prepaid base and an Electronic Voucher platform which will play a significant role. The launch of e-Voucher with Network will help Etisalat expand its distribution channel and obtain increased customer loyalty.” added Mr. Ram Chari, CEO, Network International The agreement emphasizes Network International’s preeminence as a complete solutions provider, its capabilities in managing third-party services, shows the company’s increasing importance in the significant Middle Eastern markets. The e-Voucher service will serve to complement Etisalat’s already existing airtime distribution through scratch cards.
