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Friday, February 9, 2007
The frequency of change in tariffs along with the multiplicity of plans leaves consumers confused. Not anymore as the solution is now at your fingertips. Trilogy, Texas-based business value services provider, has developed a portal www.yourbillbuddy.com that promises to reduce your mobile phone bills by analyzing your existing bills and figuring out which rate plans from which mobile operator is most suitable to you. This is one-of-its-kind website that addresses problems of people like you and I who are faced with a deluge of mobile rate plans to choose from.
That's not all; the benefits are multifold for mobile operators and people who can use the portal to attract new subscribers. The website is currently in beta stage and launched initially in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. It currently supports Airtel, Hutch, Reliance, Tata Indicom, BSNL, MTNL, Idea and Spice subscribers.
CHOICES MADE EASIER
With 10 mobile operators in 23 circles to choose from, the task is not easy when it comes to deciding which monthly post-paid plan or pre-paid plan best suits the wallet. 'YourBillBuddy.com' works in three simple steps-login, upload post-paid mobile bill with bill details, and follow instructions online. Once you upload the bill, within seconds the site analyses your bill and gives you a break-up of your usage-local calls, STD calls, ISD calls, SMS, and roaming-and compares them against the tariff plans of each mobile operator.
The backend is supported with a robust algorithm through which all types of bills are accepted and compared. The website then finds the best available tariff across all service providers, and helps the subscriber switch plans or operator online. The new service provider then provides the new number and other details-all within a matter of few seconds without having to visit the customer care centres of any operator.
Virendra Gupta, director of Telecom Services, Trilogy India, says, "We are already seeing positive results. Thirty percent of our users have saved at least 25% on their bills. Our customers find this online service extremely cost-effective and reliable, as our software suggests the best rate plan or operator based on fundamental value rather than perception."
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"We are already seeing positive results. Thirty percent of our users have saved at least 25% on their bills"
-Virendra Gupta, director of Telecom Services, Trilogy India
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YourBillBuddy.com shows a detailed usage pattern based on your bill |
BOON FOR OPERATORS
The website promises great value even for the mobile operators as it offers them an unbiased platform to attract new customers in a transparent manner. "Today, mobile operators have two main objectives-customer positioning, and retaining of customers or lowering churn rate. Today churn reduction is the single most priority for any mobile operator as subscribers change their plans frequently. We believe this can be reduced by 50%, and thus be beneficial for the service providers who have tied up with us."
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What can Your BillBuddy do for You?
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Provides unbiased recommendation on bill plan for free
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Offers a hassle-free way to look at multiple plans from multiple operators at one glance
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Compares your existing mobile bill against other tariff plans to suggest the best option
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For a mobile user, the choice of a mobile operator is primarily determined by the feasibility of a bill plan. YourBillBuddy.com is a useful tool for the operators to monitor the movement of existing subscribers in case they switch to a new plan or operator. This gives them an opportunity to address the issue by suitably improving or altering the rate plans. It also provides a good platform for the operators to attract new customers.
The revenue model for the website is based on customer (mobile operator) satisfaction. "Our business model is unique. Mobile operators will pay us only if they are satisfied with our delivery. As they acquire more customers through YourBillBuddy.com, we earn our revenue," says Gupta.
Interestingly, YourBillBuddy is an idea that emerged from a brainstorming session held during Trilogy University Program held in India in 2004. At the annual event, a clutch of students undergoing the program suggested the web service as a business model for Trilogy's newly launched telecom business service.
The site constantly monitors the changing tariff plans in the market, and recommends the most appropriate plan. It is a free service for the mobile consumers. In the first phase, Trilogy India plans to make this service national and attract more service providers. It is also working on adding additional features related to value added services and probably specific features catering to enterprise customers.
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| The website offers recommendations on suitable plan for cellular subscriber based on their usage pattern |
Indeed the advantage of not having to run from pillar to post in looking at a myriad of plans, is the best reason why the website has attracted over 25,000 registered users in Dec 2006 and still counting.
Malovika Rao
malovikar@cybermedia.co.in
Source: Voice&Data
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