Gemalto
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Gemalto pioneers SIM Reactivation solution to help operators seamlessly reconnect with lapsed prepaid subscribers

Research by GSMA reports that in Africa alone 78% of the SIM market is prepaid

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Africa are faced with significant challenges as a result

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 3, 2016/APO/ --

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) (www.Gemalto.com), the world leader in digital security, announces LinqUs SIM Reactivation, the world’s first solution for real-time reactivation of dormant SIMs that allows operators to seamlessly reconnect lost prepaid subscribers at a fraction of normal acquisition costs. Gemalto’s innovative platform is designed to support customer experience management strategies by easing the reacquisition process. Lapsed subscribers can simply reuse their old SIM to instantly rejoin a network, anytime and anywhere.

LinqUs SIM Reactivation automatically detects and reactivates customers trying to use an expired SIM. It also retains churned subscribers’ profile data, giving operators the opportunity to propose tailor-made offers, such as voice/data plans and phone number selection, based on detailed understanding of individual requirements. The whole process is performed in real-time via intuitive screen menus to ensure a smooth subscriber journey.

LinqUs SIM Reactivation is a solid and scalable platform that provides full customization and easy integration with operators’ systems and processes. It is built on a proven Gemalto-owned signaling platform successfully deployed across 135 countries – signaling platforms connect applications to the network to manage user communications. It is ideally suited to heavily prepaid markets such as Africa, Latin America or South Asia where users hop between operators and reacquiring lost customers is a costly exercise. According to a Gemalto survey, 76% of operators interviewed agree that real time reactivation of dormant SIMs with incentive offers is key to regain users [1].

Research by GSMA reports that in Africa alone 78% of the SIM market is prepaid. The research findings also prove that there is a challenge with multi SIMs on the continent. In Africa as a whole, there are 1.62 SIM cards registered per user. In southern Africa this increases further – with 2,34 SIM cards per unique user, meaning that the average user in South Africa is juggling up to three SIM cards.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Africa are faced with significant challenges as a result. How do they retain customers in such a competitive environment? How can they “re-connect” with former customers, and reactivate their SIMs on the network,” says Sherry Zameer, Senior Vice President, Africa Sales. “Gemalto’s solution will enable MNOs to do just that – seamlessly”. As such, the company is expecting significant uptake both in the country and on the continent as subscriber retention can be directly improved through this far more effective customer experience management (CEM). CEM is one of the key challenges facing mobile network operators. According to recent research by Ernst & Young, 68% of senior industry executives consider CEM their number one strategic priority [2].

Faced with ever increasing competition, mobile operators need to leverage all available channels and customer touchpoints to forge stronger and more personal ties with users,” said David Buhan, Senior Vice President for Mobile Subscriber Services at Gemalto. “LinqUs SIM Reactivation sweeps away the barriers that currently exist between operators and lost prepaid subscribers and effortlessly restores lapsed relationships.”

[1] Informa Telecoms.com survey carried out in October 2016 among African operators.
[2] EY – 2015 Global Telecommunications Study: navigating the road to 2020.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Gemalto.

Media Contacts:
Philippe Benitez
North America
+1 512 257 3869
Philippe.Benitez@Gemalto.com

Peggy Edoire
Europe & CIS
+33 4 42 36 45 40
Peggy.Edoire@Gemalto.com

Vivian Liang
大中华地区 (Greater China)
+86 1059373046
Vivian.Liang@Gemalto.com

Ernesto Haikewitsch
Latin America
+55 11 5105 9220
Ernesto.Haikewitsch@Gemalto.com

Kristel Teyras
Middle East & Africa
+33 1 55 01 57 89
Kristel.Teyras@Gemalto.com

Shintaro Suzuki
Asia Pacific
+65 6317 8266  
Shintaro.Suzuki@Gemalto.com

About Gemalto:
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the global leader in digital security, with 2015 annual revenues of €3.1 billion and customers in over 180 countries. We bring trust to an increasingly connected world.
Our technologies and services enable businesses and governments to authenticate identities and protect data so they stay safe and enable services in personal devices, connected objects, the cloud and in between. 
Gemalto’s solutions are at the heart of modern life, from payment to enterprise security and the internet of things. We authenticate people, transactions and objects, encrypt data and create value for software – enabling our clients to deliver secure digital services for billions of individuals and things.
Our 14,000+ employees operate out of 118 offices, 45 personalization and data centers, and 27 research and software development centers located in 49 countries.
For more information visit www.Gemalto.com or follow @Gemalto on Twitter.