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Zain To Launch 'Direct Operator Billing' In MENA Region [Ventures Africa](Ventures Africa Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) VENTURES AFRICA- Kuwaiti mobile telecommunication company, Zain Group has signed an agreement with SLA Mobile, a renowned mobile solutions provider, to launch Direct Operator Billing services that will enable its customers in the MENA region pay for digital goods from a service provider by charging the transaction to their mobile phone monthly bill or using pre-paid credit. Zain's Direct Operator Billing service, also known as Carrier Billing provide customers the ability to easily and safely purchase apps from leading global app stores across various operating platforms such as Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry and charge their bills or their credit balance in case of prepaid – without a requirement for a credit card. Customers can easily purchase digital content and services provided by Zain's local and regional partners with merchants and app developers now being able to reach a wider audience with their products and services encouraging and driving the innovation and consumption of such content, a statement released by the telecoms company said. According to SLA Mobile CEO, Nic Stirk said: "The Direct Operator Billing solution offers customers a highly convenient mobile payment option while allowing mobile operators to rapidly monetize their customers' digital consumption. Mobile operators have many assets that can be monetized and Direct Operator Billing is the stepping stone to greater things in terms of improving competitiveness and increasing customer loyalty and retention." The service will be launched in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, first, followed by Iraq, South Sudan and Sudan. While noting that the exciting world of mobile digital services is driving the mobile industry forward at the moment, Zain Group's CEO Scott Gegenheimer said: "Zain is already one of the leading technology innovators with respect to our state-of-the-art mobile broadband networks, and this investment in our networks goes hand-in-hand with our ability to offer services that enhance customer's digital purchasing experiences." "By being one of the first telecom providers in the Middle East to launch a Direct Operator Billing service, we reinforce our dedication to providing customers with the best purchasing experience and we are confident this service will enable them to use mobile payments in a safe and easy manner," he added. With presence in eight Middle Eastern and African countries, Zain was once a major telecom player in Sub-Saharan Africa before it sold majority of its businesses to Bharti Airtel. It is however planning to grow inorganically as an integrated service provider in the region with peculiar interest in Tunisia and a possible third telecom license in Libya. (c) 2013 Ventures Africa. All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |