C-block launch this year.... (sorry if this is old news)
Amica to Launch PCS Services This Year
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1998--Subscriber, also known as Subscriber
Computing Inc. (SCI), today announced that it has been awarded with a contract to provide a
customer care and billing system for Amica Wireless Phone Service Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
of C- and F-block licensee BRK Wireless.
Amica purchased the new Windows NT version of Subscriber's Communications Resource
Manager (CRM) customer care and billing system, which features a graphical user interface (GUI)
and real time rating engine.
According to Stephen Combe, director of product management for Subscriber's real-time billing
division, Subscriber provides a number of advantages to license winners who need to get to market
fast. ''We are focused on the worldwide wireless deregulation market,'' said Combe. ''Our
customer care and billing system offers maximum flexibility with minimum operating costs and
minimum cash outlay.''
Amica plans to launch its PCS service in Illinois and Iowa using a phased approach, beginning with
central Illinois in 1998.
Bob George, director of finance and administration for Amica, indicated that the company decided
to purchase a system rather than to contract with a service bureau for its customer care and billing
requirements.
''Weighing the costs of the service bureau versus the Subscriber system, we concluded that it made
far more sense to purchase,'' said George. ''CRM allows us to retain complete control in vital areas
such as our rate tables, which would not be the case had we gone with a service bureau. Another
disadvantage of the service bureau is that it takes much longer to implement any type of change.''
In the search for a customer care and billing solution, George said that Amica studied a number of
options, eventually narrowing the list to three potential vendors. ''The key factors in our decision to
go with Subscriber were the competitive pricing, Subscriber's experience in customer care and
billing, and the fact that Subscriber's system already interfaces with our switch -- there was no need
to build an interface,'' said George.
''Subscriber provides carriers with peace of mind that, as their business grows, their billing system
will scale in terms of functionality and performance,'' said Combe. ''The CRM combination of
WINTEL price performance and a deep, rich base of functionality and flexibility is ideally suited for
the PCS market, giving carriers a competitive advantage in time to market and reduced operating
costs.''
CRM is a robust, scaleable and easily integrated billing solution that provides much of the same
functionality available with larger scale systems, yet with a much more attractive price. Unlike
solutions offered by systems integrators, Subscriber provides a one-stop solution including
consulting, installation, training, and ongoing support.
In addition to its software expertise, Subscriber's years of focused experience in the wireless
industry enable the company to guide startup carriers through critical issues including staffing and
work flow development. By providing a complete solution, Subscriber helps carriers to rapidly
deploy, thus reducing time-to-market for the carrier's services.
Amica Wireless has corporate offices located in Iowa City, Iowa. Amica's markets include central
Illinois and portions of Iowa, covering a population of nearly two million.
Amica provides friendly, personal sales and customer support making it simple to buy and use
digital service. Amica has taken the confusion out of wireless service costs by offering simple
pricing, no contracts, and no fine print. Amica's choice of the most advanced digital wireless
technology, Code Division Multiple Access, means that consumers receive a number of benefits
over other wireless systems today.
Amica's CDMA network will provide the following enhanced services:
- Clear reception / no static
- Voice and data privacy
- Caller ID
- Numeric paging
- Text messaging
Customers will be able to purchase handsets and services from Amica Wireless at company owned
retail stores, through Amica's direct sales force, or by calling Amica's Customer Care Center at
888/546-1714.
Irvine-based Subscriber is a rapidly-growing provider of customer care and billing, fraud control,
and real time data management software for wireless telecommunications carriers worldwide.
Subscriber systems support a wide range of services, including cellular, messaging, wireless data,
PCS-CDMA, TDMA and GSM.
The company currently services clients in Europe, North America, Australia, Africa, Asia, and
South America. Subscriber is located at 18881 Von Karman Ave., Suite 450, Irvine, CA 92612.
Visit Subscriber's Web site at subscriber.com. |
