Wireless Developer Network

December 1, 2009 - i-wireless, a national wireless solution provider on the nationwide Sprint PCS network, announced they have launched a new self-activation application powered by Telespree Communications, the leading provider of on-device self-service solutions. The new offering is available on mobile handsets the company sells exclusively through the Kroger family of stores. Subscribers can sign up for service and select a rate plan directly on the phone without calling customer care. Today, more than 95 percent of all i-wireless activations are completed through Telespree resulting in substantial customer care and supply chain cost savings for the company.

"With Telespree, i-wireless customers can activate and start using their phones right away – it's a simple "do-it-yourself" solution that masks all the complexity of what is actually quite an involved process," said John Willis, chief operating officer, i-wireless. "The Telespree solution not only provides a convenient option for our customers, but also reduces customer care calls and costs," Willis added.

The new service enrollment application allows subscribers to input a ZIP Code for desired service area, create a service passcode, select a calling plan, sign up for monthly credit card billing, activate the device and receive a new phone number on the mobile phone - all without calling customer care, using an IVR or needing dedicated retail assistance. As part of the enrollment process, subscribers are also offered the ability to register for the company's loyalty program, which allows them to earn FREE MINUTES on their wireless phones by inputting their Shopper's Card or Reward Card details. Each time subscribers spend $100 in qualifying purchases, in store, they will receive 20 FREE MINUTES of airtime on their i-wireless phones. To take advantage of the promotion post-activation, subscribers can go into a dynamic self-care menu on their phones to enroll in the program as well.

Furthermore, Telespree's service enrollment application provides subscribers with a convenient way to sign-up for monthly credit card billing which allows subscribers to automatically pay their monthly service fee using a debit or credit card. The designated card is charged monthly when the fee is due. This capability is an important tool for carriers to lower churn as payment is ensured and subscribers are more likely to remain active users of the service.

"Telespree's self-service solution meets our evolving business needs. We originally started working with Telespree to automate activation and streamline supply chain processes," continued Willis. "The ability to enable customers to sign up for service directly on their handsets is a natural progression. We are always focused on providing the best user experience for our customers."

Telespree first started working with i-wireless to automate manual activation in 2007. The activation process was a time consuming effort where individual devices were pre-programmed for specific retail distribution points. Subscribers needed to call customer care to finish the rest of the activation process over the phone, a lengthy procedure that took several minutes to complete. Furthermore, phones could not be shipped to other markets without manual re-programming. The Telespree solution has enabled i-wireless to avoid this process and ship non-activated devices between diverse distribution points resulting in significant logistics cost savings. In addition, i-wireless has significantly reduced call times to customer care through Telespree's on-device service enrollment and handset programming applications.

"We've really enjoyed working with i-wireless to provide a good service experience while enabling them to substantially reduce their customer care and supply chain costs," said Bill deKay, chief executive officer, Telespree. "At Telespree we pride ourselves in helping our customers gain a competitive edge. This new application delivers a tailored end-to-end customer enrollment experience directly on the handset."

The Telespree solution provides a full range of on-device self-service functionality such as activation, service enrollment, self-care/account management, mobile marketing and customer profiling. All Telespree applications are tailored to specific carrier business rules and subscriber needs. With Telespree's solutions, carriers are able to minimize customer care and distribution costs while improving the end user experience.

i-wireless is a national wireless service provider exclusively sold in over 2,200 retail locations within the Kroger family of stores across 31 states. As one of the nation's largest grocery retail chains, Kroger operates stores under two dozen local banner names including, Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food4Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC, Baker's, Gerbes and City Market. In addition to enjoying great in-store savings, i-wireless customers that shop at the Kroger family of stores can earn FREE MINUTES on their i-wireless phones when they use their shopper's card on qualifying purchases. For every $100 spent in-store, customers earn 20 FREE MINUTES of airtime. i-wireless provides reliable and affordable wireless service using the Nationwide Sprint Network reaching more than 280 million users. Customers can choose from monthly plans, unlimited plans or pay-per-use plans without the burden of contracts, activation fees or roaming charges. For more information about i-wireless, please visit www.iwirelesshome.com

Telespree has created a self-service platform for automated activation, programming, service enrollment and ongoing account maintenance using only the device without the aid of a sales clerk, call center or IVR. Telespree's innovative network solution transforms any wireless device into a convenient self-service terminal, allowing mobile service providers to significantly reduce customer care and distribution costs, improve the end user experience and generate incremental revenue through account management activities. For more information about our products and services, visit www.telespree.com