provider of on-device automated self-service solutions for wireless service providers, announced several new self-care account management applications to help carriers reduce customer support costs and increase revenue. In addition to Telespree's extensive suite of self-care offerings, the company introduced Automatic Bill Pay, Tidbit real-time account icons, and Idle Screen Alerts. Carriers can utilize Telespree's self-care applications for new subscribers as well as their existing customer base.

The newest on-device self-care features include:

1. Automatic Bill Pay helps subscribers easily set up recurring payments and bill their charges to credit/debit cards and bank accounts.
2. Tidbits are icons that display real-time account information on the idle screen or desktop such as minutes or data usage remaining, bill cycle date and other self-care options. Subscribers can mouse over the icon and/or click on the graphic to view and select from a menu.
3. Idle Screen Alerts enable carriers to notify subscribers about payments, credit card on file expiration, special features, account status, promotions and other services directly on their idle screen in a special pop-up window. Alerts provide links enabling subscribers to take immediate action.

Telespree's newest offerings are a natural extension of the company's suite of commercially deployed self-care solutions such as Change Plan and Features, Pay Bill, Check Usage and others. Subscribers can perform account management functions at their convenience without the need for customer care, sales clerks or IVRs. Moreover, Telespree's self-care solution offers service providers an important direct communications link to their customers.

"Satisfaction with the user experience, realization of the positive ROI model, and improvements in device interface, memory, and speed are leading to an aggressive roadmap for implementation of new capabilities in the account management area, such as viewing data usage consumption, changing price plan, and replenishing minutes for pre-paid accounts," said Mark Lowenstein, managing director of Mobile Ecosystem, in "The Evolution of Device-Based Self-Service," his new white paper. "Device-based self-service can result in both displacement of calls to customer care, as well as revenue-enhancing opportunities, such as promotion/up selling of services and the creation of loyalty programs and greater tie-ins to advertising."

"The feedback on our commercially deployed self-care features has been extremely positive - carriers tell us it has helped them to significantly reduce customer service support costs and increase customer satisfaction," said Bill deKay, chief executive officer of Telespree. "We consistently hear that consumers really like how easy it is to change their plan and features, pay their bill, and check usage right on their phones without the hassle of IVRs or calling into customer care."

Telespree's new Auto Bill Pay application provides subscribers with an easy method to enroll during activation or self-care via the device and then automatically pay their bills on a recurring basis. The credit card, debit card or bank account, is charged monthly when the bill is due or when the balance is low. Auto Bill Pay is an important tool for carriers to lower churn as payment is ensured and subscribers are more likely to remain enrolled. Auto Bill Pay can be easily added to a service enrollment sequence on the device. In contrast, Auto Bill Pay enrollment on an IVR is too cumbersome to be practical.

Telespree's Tidbits are displayed on the idle screen or desktop and communicate current information, such as usage information, data meter limits or account management capabilities. Subscribers can mouse over the icon; see information such as minutes or data usage remaining; and/or click on the graphic to view and select from a menu of dynamic self-care options, such as purchasing more bandwidth, upgrading a plan and other options.

Telespree's Idle Screen Alerts application sends a message in a pop-up window directly to the idle or desktop screen of a mobile device, with a link enabling subscribers to take action. Alerts remind subscribers to add more money to an account, take advantage of a timely promotion, and update a credit card on file or other actionable items. Idle Screen Alerts create revenue generating opportunities for carriers - subscribers can be reached at any time for special offers, bill payment or other time sensitive actions. Unlike a SMS message which goes into the subscriber's inbox, an alert appears as a special window directly on the idle screen for the user to see and immediately act on.

"These new self-care offerings are a natural extension of our existing suite of activation, service enrollment and self-care solutions and are a direct result of carrier feedback for additional capabilities," deKay added.

About Telespree Communications

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.

Information Source:    PRNewswire