Self-Service Set-Up
System Enables Wireless Devices to Automate Porting of Subscriber Numbers
Mountain View, CA., November 24, 2003 – VeriSign (Nasdaq:VRSN),
the leading provider of critical infrastructure services for the Internet
and telecommunications, and Telespree Communications, the leading provider
of self-service solutions for wireless carriers, today announced their
joint Self-Service Set-Up product enables wireless local number portability
(WLNP) requests from consumers automatically via the wireless device.
Self-Service Set-Up helps wireless carriers reduce customer acquisition
costs by automating the account, device and plan set-up process using
only the newly purchased device.
Scheduled to go into effect on November 24, WLNP
is a federal mandate by which subscribers of wireless service plans
may change providers but retain their existing phone number. A study
by Intelliseek suggests that 42 percent of wireless subscribers are
aware of the WLNP mandate, and 16 percent are aware that they can transfer
their home wireline phone number to a wireless phone. While industry
estimates vary widely on how many consumers will immediately seek to
activate their existing wireless number with a new carrier, analysts
place potential new churn at about three to five percent above current
industry rates, or about 10 million of the more than 150 million wireless
phone subscribers who are likely to take advantage of WLNP to make the
switch. Research from The Management Network Group (TMG) Inc. estimates
another six million people without cell phones may consider activating
one with their home phone number.
“Wireless carriers are seeking more innovative features
to differentiate themselves and provide the choice and convenience consumers
desire,” said Vernon Irvin, executive vice president of VeriSign Telecommunication
Services. “VeriSign’s Self-Service Set-Up helps carriers address the
regulatory and business challenges of portability in the wireless environment
through managing customer acquisition costs, and improving the subscriber
experience.”
“As WLNP is being implemented, the industry is looking
for a user friendly and cost efficient solution,” said Bill deKay, CEO
of Telespree Communications. “Using the wireless device to automate
porting of the user’s mobile number minimizes customer care while providing
an accessible and easy to use solution for the subscriber.”
Wireless number portability will tax mobile carriers’
models for evaluating customer value, according to Forrester
Research senior analyst Charles S. Golvin. As consumers
gain the ability to move their numbers between any two networks, carriers
must shift their focus from the network to the customer (Copyright ©
2003, Forrester Research, Inc.).
Self-Service Set-Up takes place after a consumer
has purchased a wireless device off-the-shelf at a retail location.
By simply powering on, the device immediately connects to the wireless
network. Then, through numeric-only key input, the user is asked
a series of simple questions that establish a user identity profile.
The user is then asked if he or she would like to transfer an existing
mobile phone number to this new account. If so, the user simply inputs
their existing number and previous carrier name.
Working seamlessly with carrier back-end systems,
Self-Service Set-Up validates identity; completes credit and demographic
scoring; offers detailed rate plan options designed to determine the
consumer’s optimal service plan; and outlines additional features that
can be purchased within just a few minutes – all with no involvement
from a customer service representative. Upon service plan selection
and agreement, the Self-Service Set-Up system passes the existing mobile
number or MIN to the carrier’s OSS/BSS system for porting, finalizes
account set up with the carrier’s billing system and completes device
activation once the number is available.
Self-Service Set-Up, winner of a Superquest Award
for Most Promising Network Technology at the telecom industry’s 2003
SUPERCOMM trade show, utilizes Telespree’s Intelligent Service Manager
(ISM) technology, which enables an anonymous device to instantly and
securely access the network and auto-activate using Telespree’s Secure
Instant Wireless Access™ (SIWA) protocol, and enter an intelligent,
dynamic user interface session, prior to the provisioning of network
or OSS systems. VeriSign provides an activation intelligence system
that identifies consumers through numeric only data which empowers carriers
to personalize the service, in real-time, at the point of activation.
This micro-segmentation technology includes consumer credit scoring,
payment processing, and real-time service optimization based on the
consumer’s lifestyle profile. The Self-Service Set-Up system is a network-
based solution that integrates into existing carrier processes and back
end systems. The combined technologies provide a highly advanced, automated
consumer acquisition process for the wireless carrier.
About VeriSign, Inc.
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), delivers critical infrastructure
services that make the Internet and telecommunications networks more
intelligent, reliable and secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands
of businesses and millions of consumers connect, communicate, and transact
with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is
available at http://www.verisign.com.
About Telespree Communications
Telespree is the leading developer of self-service solutions
for wireless carriers, enabling wireless carriers to rapidly deploy
innovative self-service offerings for their customers while achieving
much needed operating cost savings. Telespree has created the industry’s
first cost-effective, scalable, open standards-based platform for automated
self-service wireless acquisition, activation, account and profile management.
To learn more about Telespree, visit http://www.telespree.com
For more information, contact:
VeriSign Media Relations: Penny Thomas, mpthomas@verisign.com,
360-493-6724
VeriSign Investor Relations: Kathleen Bare, mkbare@verisign.com,
650-426-3241
Telespree Communications: Lissa Franklin, mlissa@telespree.com,
415-817-0803
Statements in
this announcement other than historical data and information constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated
or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and
uncertainties include, among others, VeriSign's limited operating history
under its current business structure; uncertainty of future revenue
and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating
results; the ability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market
new services and customer acceptance of any new services; the risk that
VeriSign's announced strategic relationships may not result in additional
products, services, customers and revenues; increased competition and
pricing pressures; and risks related to potential security breaches.
More information about potential factors that could affect the company's
business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any
of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
###
Worldwide Sites
