Operators promoting mobile-phone payment

• Pay by Mobile - a campaign promoting new payment methods
• Comprehensive information and support provided to vendors
• All information about secure mobile-telephone payment is available at www.platmobilem.cz

Prague 6 October 2010 - Telefónica O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone have decided to promote payments by mobile telephones under the auspices of the Association of Mobile Network Operators. Today the operators launched a new joint portal at www.platmobilem.cz containing information about mobile payment methods for customers and vendors who are considering using this method. In addition, the operators have prepared a special marketing promotion for vendors: soon customers will find a characteristic orange and black "Plať mobilem" ("Pay by Mobile") sticker  at all locations where they can use the mobile-telephone payment method.

The goal of the "Plať mobilem" logo is to raise awareness among the Czech public about the methods and possibilities of paying by mobile telephone, and particularly the promotion of the security principles applied when paying by mobile phone. "Plať mobilem" enables customers to pay for goods and services by mobile telephone, either by sending a Premium SMS or via the payment gateway

Customers can currently use their mobile telephones to pay for SMS public transportation tickets, parking, donor SMS, travel insurance, tickets to cultural events, digital music, DVDs or voting in TV contests and programmes. More than 11% of customers of Czech mobile operators use their mobile telephones as a payment tool and over five million transactions are carried out every month.

Customers who are interested in these payment methods will find a presentation and description of individual methods at the new http://www.platmobilem.cz/ portal, including references to vendors that accept mobile telephone payment methods, as well as advice on how to proceed in the case of complaints concerning delivered goods or services which are paid for using the m-payment method. The site also contains information on shortcodes used for Premium SMS. These make it possible to determine the price of SMS and contact information of the shortcode owner in the event of a complaint.

A part of the "Plať mobilem" project is a unique uniform guide for the use of the payment gateway, which is the same for each customer and serves for redirecting to the payment gateway of customer's operator. Customers will select the "Plať mobilem" method by clicking on the PM logo.

Plať mobilem - a simple, secure and immediate payment method
The "Plať Mobilem" campaign wants to extend the network of vendors offering this convenient payment method. One of the arguments in favour of this method is the fact that not everyone has a payment card, though the majority of Czechs have a mobile telephone. To be able to pay by mobile telephone, the customer does not need to set up any accounts or transfer funds - the amount is credited without any delay and the service also enables recurring payments. The "Plať mobilem" initiative is being promoted by all three Czech operators.

"Plať mobilem" is intended to address potential customers particularly by offering simple, secure and fast services. Customers using pre-paid cards will have the amount deducted from their topped-up credit, whereas customers with a tariff plan will have the amount charged on their monthly Statement of Services. They do not need to register, and the service is activated in a standard way. Parents do not need to worry - services on their children's SIM cards can be blocked if necessary.

APMS
The goal of the APMS is to create optimum conditions for the development of the public mobile telecommunications network and to provide public mobile telecommunications services in the Czech Republic. It protects the common interests of its members, as well as their individual interests if these are not in conflict with the common interests. Due to the fact that the optimum conditions for the development of the business activities of its members are based on open competition, the key objective of the Association is to promote and protect the equal and open Czech electronic communications market, which is based on the principles of the protection of competition.

Contacts for journalists:
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s.
Martin Žabka
Spokesperson
tel: 800 163 342 (800 1 media)
public.relations.cz@o2.com
www.o2.cz

T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s.
Martina Kemrová     
Senior Head of Corporate Communication   
tel.: 603 601 150
martina.kemrova@t-mobile.cz
www.t-mobile.cz

Vodafone Czech Republic a.s.
Miroslav Čepický
Spokesperson
tel.: 775 011 288
miroslav.cepicky@vodafone.com
www.vodafone.cz

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.