Wameja Di Regulatory News (WJA)

27 Oct 2008 07:00

Belgacom ICS selects eServGlobal for International Remittances

Sydney, 27 October 2008 

eServGlobal Limited (LSE: ESG & ASX: ESV), a provider of end-to-end solutions, enabling smart communication and payment services for service providers on any generation network, today announced an agreement with Belgacom International Carrier Services (Belgacom ICS), a leading global provider of voice, data and value added services, to jointly launch HomeSend, a new service for mobile remittance, roaming recharge and airtime exchange. 

The HomeSend service is a global hubbing service that provides, for the first time, a mobile-centric approach to international remittance. This represents a significant new step in mobile payment, and indeed the telecommunications industry, allowing any mobile service provider in any country to access the international remittance market in a cost efficient manner. 

International remittance is a significant sector for mobile payment, allowing mobile subscribers to easily and quickly transfer airtime or money internationally. According to the GSM Association, some 175 million migrants currently use remittance services, sending money to around 800 million dependent recipients. Remittance flows have reached US$320 billion, and are estimated to reach US$700 billion by 2012. Service providers can expand any payment offering with international remittance services, which make it easier for users to send small amounts frequently, generating incremental transaction revenue. 

Under the agreement, Belgacom ICS and eServGlobal will jointly operate, maintain and support the HomeSend service, each bringing their areas of expertise. eServGlobal will provision and maintain the HomeSend platform while Belgacom ICS will act as the hub providing the connectivity, the customer care as well as the financial settlement between the hub members. HomeSend allows mobile operators to extract most of the value generated by this new service opportunity, rather than only acting as transport bearers if the service was operated through financial institutions. 

Laurent Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of eServGlobal said "HomeSend will give mobile operators access to new customers and increase their revenue, as well as contribute to improving financial access for their customers and significantly increase annual remittance flows to develop national GDP for the destination countries. The joint delivery with Belgacom ICS represents a new revenue model for eServGlobal, where charges are transaction rather than license based." 

Daniel Kurgan, CEO of Belgacom ICS said "HomeSend is an innovative new product which will open up new markets and enable mobile operators to make a bold step into a high-value area. This partnership with eServGlobal also shows again our dedication to develop innovative solutions for our mobile operator customers that will help them better serve their customers in the future." 

About Belgacom ICS 

Belgacom International Carrier Services S.A./NV (Belgacom ICS) is a leading global carrier of voice, data and value added services to over 500 wireless, wireline and service providers through sales offices in Brussels, Bern, Dubai, Singapore and New York. 

Belgacom ICS is at the forefront of the international communications industry, acting as a catalyst for growth, both in terms of traffic and reach. The company aims to enable global interworking across all networks, technologies and services. As a result of this approach and the joint venture with Swisscom ICS, Belgacom International Carrier Services is now one of the largest wholesale voice carriers and a world leader in data transit services. 

For more information, please visit www.belgacom-ics.com

About eServGlobal 

eServGlobal (LSE: ESG & ASX: ESV) invents smart communication and payment services for telecommunications service providers operating on all generation networks.  eServGlobal's innovative solutions help service providers to grow new revenues, reduce churn, and lower costs. In addition, service providers are assured of seamless evolution to new network architectures, such as IMS and beyond. 

As payment is crucial, eServGlobal's Charging Suite responds to increasingly sophisticated charging and billing challenges while providing advanced recharge and m-payment solutions. The innovative Retention Suite delivers targeted incentives to increase customer satisfaction and retention. Meeting customer demand for new communication experiences, the eServGlobal Messaging Suite enables reliable delivery of multimedia services such as unified messaging, video blog, SMS, and instant messaging. The Network Suite supplies enhanced personalisation and network optimisation.

Over 80 of the world's leading service providers, with over 400 million mobile subscribers in more than 50 countries, are taking advantage of eServGlobal's end-to-end solutions and expertise to quickly deliver revenue-generating services. With 14 offices around the world and staff from 20 different countries, we provide flexible solutions with ongoing product development, based on a deep understanding of our customers' challenges.

eServGlobal is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: ESV) and the London Stock Exchange AIM market (LSE: ESG). In the year to 30 June 2008, eServGlobal reported a net profit after tax of A$10.4 million, up 91.5% from the previous year. A dividend of 3 cents per share was paid for the full year ending 30 June, 2008, an increase of 50% over the previous year's dividend payment. More information can be found at: www.eservglobal.com

Ian Buddery David Poutney / Brent Nabbs 

Executive Chairman Numis Securities Limited (NOMAD)

eServGlobal Limited Tel: +44(0)20 7260 1000

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