OSKAR CREATES A NEW DIMENSION OF MOBILITY

• Oskar has taken another revolutionary step in implementing its direct delivery strategy and self-care services
• In cooperation with Komerční banka, Oskar has prepared a pilot project for direct mobile payments via handsets equipped with the SIM Toolkit application
• Mobile payments can be used identically as a credit card

Oskar’s new mobile payment service represents the most accessible way of paying for telecommunication services within the Oskar network. It gives the customers the freedom to control his/her own account using their mobile phone. Payments are credited to the customer‘s Oskar account within a few minutes confirmed by an inbound SMS specifying the transaction result. By increasing customers’ convenience through time and money savings, the new service represents another important step to allow customers to have full control over Oskar’s services.

The mobile payment service is the first service of its kind in the Czech Republic and one of the first in Europe. Mobile payments can be used as a convenient and safe way to activate and pay for Oskar’s services at any time and any place using a mobile phone and Eurocard/Mastercard, Maestro, VISA, VISA Electron or American Express credit card issued by Komerční banka. The service is based on SMS protocol and each request has to be authorized by the operator and the bank. Service is available to both prepaid and postpaid customers.

In order to use the mobile payment service, each customer needs a new type of SIM card with an expanded menu. Any existing customer interested in activating the service can call OskarLinka at *077 (if dialed from a mobile phone) or at 0800 77 00 77 to ask for SIM replacement. The free-of-charge SIM card replacement will take place two business days. Oskar’s new customers can order the expanded SIM card via OskarKontakt 0800 777 777.

„We appreciate Komerční banka’s innovative and supportive approach. Thanks to our combined effort we are introducing the first service of its kind in the Czech Republic and most probably in Europe. We are open to pursue new ways of cooperation with other financial institutions and expand this service to credit cards issued by them,“ says Mario Mele, Český Mobil’s Senior Director of Business Development.

Until the end of June 2001, Oskarta users will be eligible for 50 Kc bonus for every mobile replenishment.

The mobile payment service offers the following options:
1. Oskarta replenishment
2. Invoice payment
3. ASL increase
4. Advance payment
5. Deposits for the activation of roaming and international calls
6. Postpaid account information

Oskarta replenishment
Oskarta subscribers can replenish their prepaid accounts directly using a mobile phone without having to call the phone line for replenishments. The amounts that can be recharged remain the same, as well as the bonuses that the customer receives through regular sales channels, e.g. 400 Kč, 800 Kč and 1.500 Kč. Furthermore, Oskar offers an extra 50 Kc bonus for every mobile replenishment made before June 30.

Invoice payment
The mobile invoice payment service is designed for postpaid subscribers. The customer only needs to enter his or her ten-digit invoice number and the invoice amount.

ASL increase
In addition to the bundle of free minutes, the Account Spending Limit represents an amount expressed in CZK that can be used for voice and SMS services in the given billing period The minimum initial account spending limit is 1.000 Kč. If the customer’s planned usage exceeds the sum of initial ASL and free minutes in a given billing period, they can use this service to increase their ASL at any time.

Advance payment
Using this service the customer may make advance payments for future expenditures for Oskar’s services. Oskar will then deduct billed amounts from this deposit.

Deposits for the activation of roaming and international calls
Once the deposit is made, roaming and international calls are activated automatically. The customer may start using the service within 1 hour of transaction at the latest.

Account information
The SIM Toolkit application allows customers to execute transactions related to their Oskar account as well as to have control of all transactions. The customer may check the following information: number, amount, and due date of last invoice as well as the amount paid and date of payment.

Siemens s.r.o., MUZO a.s. and Schlumberger Industries s.r.o. were among Oskar’s partners involved in the development of the mobile payment service. All information about the Mobile Payment service is available on website here.