Cellular telephony, perhaps more than any other market, demands agility in responding to unexpected business opportunities. The growth in handsets outstripped expectations in nearly all markets, but the real surprises have come from non-voice services.
SMS, intended as a utility signalling channel, has become a business, marketing and entertainment tool and a major driver in the youth market. Ringtone revenues are overtaking music CD sales. Handsets are evolving furiously to meet demand for games and MMS functionality. New revenue opportunities are constantly emerging for network operators to capitalise on their customer base, and Leaf Wireless is once more ahead of the pack in delivering innovative solutions.
Leaf`s latest development is the MTN Loaded portal, developed for MTN South Africa, delivering the latest and coolest music, ringtones, games and information services through the Web, IVR and SMS. MTN Loaded builds on the hugely successful MTNICE portal. Launched in 2000, MTNICE rapidly grew to pass the million subscriber mark within two years.
MTN Loaded builds on Leaf`s experience with designing for scalability and adaptability to be able to exploit the potential of mobile phones in many ways and over multiple channels. Consumers have access via SMS, WAP, IVR, and of course the Web, to a rich gamut of content like games, colour MMS, polyphonic ringtones, even video. It is built to exploit GPRS and ready for 3G, as these technologies enable delivery of a wider variety of more complex content.
MTN is seeing increased ARPU (average revenue per user) and a significant reduction in churn. Quinton Leigh, MD of Leaf Wireless, states: "The rapid penetration of cellular technology throughout Africa is generating demand for more than simple voice services, and presenting network operators with challenges and opportunities. Giving the customer choice, and exploiting colour and GPRS to deliver enhanced content to consumers, buys you retention of interest and lock-in - enormous benefits for a network operator. With MTN Loaded, we are delivering content ranging from simple text to full video, with systems that can handle the technologies on the mobile horizon while scaling to many millions of users."
MTN Loaded can be accessed on a trial basis by registering on the Web site, www.mtnloaded.co.za, or network operators can contact Leaf Wireless for further information.
For further information, please contact Martin du Plessis , cell 083 326 8421; telephone (011) 326 1844; fax (011) 326 1853; e-mail martind@leafwireless.com.
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Leaf Wireless, based in SA, is a global convergence technology company that provides fully integrated end-to-end mobile solutions and services encompassing context based applications, platform design, hosting and mobile media content creation. The Leaf Wireless value proposition is to innovate, and through this innovation deliver solutions that enhance the lives of its extended community while delivering sustained ROIs to all stakeholders and business partners.
Founded in 1999, Leaf Wireless continues to deliver products, solutions and strategies for a diversity companies including some of SA`s most respected corporate, media and entertainment organisations.
The Leaf Wireless platform touches over one million people each and every day.
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