Grameen Bank concept for TXT Top-UP Service
14th August, 2008
Vodafone Fiji Limited has launched a new recharge service using the “Grameen Bank” concept. The TXT Top-Up service provides Vodafone prepay subscribers recharge “on the go”. This new concept is expected to initially create up to 100 new jobs across the country Officer of Vodafone. “Mobile phones are now the most important tool for communications”, said Ms Avanthi Senaratne, Chief Marketing. “The provision of TXT Top-Up is to make recharge more accessible for better customer service and convenience”, she said.
Vodafone is working with one of its business partners to roll out this new service throughout Fiji. The concept is similar to the age old “bean seller” concept but with a touch of technology. The Txt top up dealers will have a hawker’s license that will allow them to move around from place to place and provide top up for Vodafone prepay mobile users at an arms length. The service is most convenient for commuters who are in rush or “on the go”. All the subscriber needs to do is to pay the TXT Topper the amount for which they would like to top-up and provide their mobile number. The TXT Topper will send via txt an updated top-up message with the new balance.
It is instantaneous and completely paperless transaction that is most environmentally friendly as well. The recharge is be available in full dollar amounts from as little as $2 to a maximum of $500.
This txt top-up is a pioneering concept for the region. It draws its inspiration from the Grameen Bank concept initiated by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh. It combines micro-financing and technology to open up opportunities for the poor and the unemployed. Like Grameen, TXT top is designed to provide small scale funding through initial working capital in the form “recharge” which the dealer is able to sell at margin. Once the seller is low on “recharge stock”, he is able to use the money generated from the sales of previous stock to re-order.
All the TXT Top-UP dealers will receive from Vodafone, an initial start up capital, working capital in the form of recharge, the required equipments and necessary training to deliver the product to the consumers. The TXT Topper will be a stand out in the crowed with highly visible attire.
The product was launched as a pilot project in Rakiraki. With overwhelming response and interest, the project is now ready to be rolled throughout all major towns and cities. It is envisaged that 100 new jobs will initially be created with a potential for to grow into 100’s of more jobs. “This will provide much needed employment and an opportunity for the budding entrepreneurs to venture into business albeit in a very small scale,” said Mr Shailendra Prasad, the Manager Corporate Affairs of Vodafone Fiji.
We are excited about this new concept not only because we have been able to combine our technology to expand our reach and make it convenient and accessible for our subscribers to recharge but in so doing create much needed jobs for the unemployed”
About Vodafone Fiji:
Vodafone Fiji Limited is part of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading mobile communications company with over 240 million proportionate customers worldwide. Vodafone Fiji which is a partnership with Amalgamated Telecom Holding Fiji provides mobile telecommunications services to over 600,000 Fiji customers. The global company has equity interests in 26 countries and partner networks in a further 33 countries, the largest global footprint.
14th August, 2008
Vodafone Fiji Limited has launched a new recharge service using the “Grameen Bank” concept. The TXT Top-Up service provides Vodafone prepay subscribers recharge “on the go”. This new concept is expected to initially create up to 100 new jobs across the country Officer of Vodafone. “Mobile phones are now the most important tool for communications”, said Ms Avanthi Senaratne, Chief Marketing. “The provision of TXT Top-Up is to make recharge more accessible for better customer service and convenience”, she said.
Vodafone is working with one of its business partners to roll out this new service throughout Fiji. The concept is similar to the age old “bean seller” concept but with a touch of technology. The Txt top up dealers will have a hawker’s license that will allow them to move around from place to place and provide top up for Vodafone prepay mobile users at an arms length. The service is most convenient for commuters who are in rush or “on the go”. All the subscriber needs to do is to pay the TXT Topper the amount for which they would like to top-up and provide their mobile number. The TXT Topper will send via txt an updated top-up message with the new balance.
It is instantaneous and completely paperless transaction that is most environmentally friendly as well. The recharge is be available in full dollar amounts from as little as $2 to a maximum of $500.
This txt top-up is a pioneering concept for the region. It draws its inspiration from the Grameen Bank concept initiated by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh. It combines micro-financing and technology to open up opportunities for the poor and the unemployed. Like Grameen, TXT top is designed to provide small scale funding through initial working capital in the form “recharge” which the dealer is able to sell at margin. Once the seller is low on “recharge stock”, he is able to use the money generated from the sales of previous stock to re-order.
All the TXT Top-UP dealers will receive from Vodafone, an initial start up capital, working capital in the form of recharge, the required equipments and necessary training to deliver the product to the consumers. The TXT Topper will be a stand out in the crowed with highly visible attire.
The product was launched as a pilot project in Rakiraki. With overwhelming response and interest, the project is now ready to be rolled throughout all major towns and cities. It is envisaged that 100 new jobs will initially be created with a potential for to grow into 100’s of more jobs. “This will provide much needed employment and an opportunity for the budding entrepreneurs to venture into business albeit in a very small scale,” said Mr Shailendra Prasad, the Manager Corporate Affairs of Vodafone Fiji.
We are excited about this new concept not only because we have been able to combine our technology to expand our reach and make it convenient and accessible for our subscribers to recharge but in so doing create much needed jobs for the unemployed”
About Vodafone Fiji:
Vodafone Fiji Limited is part of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading mobile communications company with over 240 million proportionate customers worldwide. Vodafone Fiji which is a partnership with Amalgamated Telecom Holding Fiji provides mobile telecommunications services to over 600,000 Fiji customers. The global company has equity interests in 26 countries and partner networks in a further 33 countries, the largest global footprint.
