African Operators tap into Next Generation Billing and Convergent Charging to Reduce Telecom Operating Costs

JOHANNESBURG, April 19, 2011 - Both the telecom companies and the consumer are set to benefit as
superior billing capabilities already implemented internationally are
entering the African market

For consumers and business users, convergent charging and billing
provides full control of all communication costs as users have one point of
contact and a single invoice for all their services. In addition it gives
users access to the services they want, independent of their subscription
type.

Convergent charging and billing provides consumers with real-time
information on their spending and credit level, so that they never spend more
than they intend to. Consumers can also be kept fully update on their bundled
minutes, bonuses and loyalty rewards.

Fully convergent rating and charging consolidates the service provider's
billing infrastructure and reduces operating costs dramatically. Thus the
fully convergent billing platform, a central system for the billing of all
services for all prepaid and contract customers, guarantees profitable growth
for operators. Hosting all customers on one system and offering superior
billing and rating capabilities makes the system a world class marketing
instrument. Using a real-time convergent billing system, which handles all
subscribers on one platform, provides operators with the necessary levels of
billing flexibility, data quality and rapid service launch to make any of the
services profitable immediately.

Cell C in South Africa has recently successfully deployed their New
Generation Business Support System (NGBSS) solution. With this world class
NGBSS solution going live, Cell C is now able to bill for its postpaid,
prepaid and hybrid services in real-time, and in one single bill for all
services. This provides Cell C with sustainable advantages of rapid
time-to-market, cost efficiency, and enhanced customer experience in today's
competitive environment.

According to Ron Reddick, Cell C CTO: "The process was executed to a
strict time table, with the actual transfer of services only taking 5 hours
leading into 6 hours of extensive post-migration testing. Cell C shops and
retail outlets were back online doing business by noon on Sunday."

Ron Reddick will be speaking at Convergent Charging Africa Summit where
telecom companies will share best practice and relate practical guidelines to
the successful deployment of a convergent charging and billing solution.

About IQPC:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations
solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry
solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a
formidable reputation for quality and value. The world's most progressive
companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has
connected international expertise with regional and local leaders.

For information about the Convergent Charging Africa Summit, 06 - 09 June
2011, Johannesburg, South Africa, please visit
www.convergentchargingafrica.com or contact: Katia Andrejev, Marketing
Manager, IQPC at katia.andrejev@iqpc.com or call +9714-446-2748.

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