Addressing Needs of Developing Markets, Thuraya Launches New Lower-cost Scratch Cards
12th June, 2005
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Thuraya has recently launched new lower-cost scratch card denominations catering to low-income segments in developing markets. The new denominations are for 10 and 20 units costing US$ 10 and US$20 respectively, compared to the previous lowest denomination of 39 units.
The scratch cards are used for refilling Thuraya’s subscriber Prepaid mobile accounts, and are also used for fixed, maritime and data services. The new scratch cards are distributed and sold by Axiom Telecom following an agreement signed by Thuraya and Axiom, whereby the latter has been appointed as the distributor of the new cards.
It is expected that, because of a large volume deal with Axiom, Thuraya Service Providers will benefit from competitive offers from Axiom, which could have been difficult in the case of smaller quantities.
Subscribers may obtain the new cards from their respective SPs or directly from Axiom which has offices in both Dubai and Baghdad. Thuraya’s CEO Mr. Yousuf Al Sayed said the new lower denominations of scratch cards were a response to market demand, as revealed in the survey we conducted in various countries, covering both our Service Providers and our subscribers.
“There was a clear demand for lower-value scratch cards to satisfy certain market segments, especially in Africa and Asia, and we were pleased to have been able to respond to that demand immediately,” said Mr. Al Sayed.
He also added that there is growing partnership between Thuraya and Axiom Telecom in the marketing and distribution of new telecom products and services in a number of markets through Axiom’s established distribution channel within the regional market.
On his part, the CEO of Axiom Telecom Group Mr. Faisal Al Bannai, said the distribution arrangement agreed with Thuraya for the new scratch cards will further boost the existing partnership between the two companies.
“Thuraya is a leading telecom entity with a regional subscriber base, and we are pleased to have Thuraya products and services as part of the main business portfolio of the Axiom Group,” he said. Thuraya prepaid solutions offer a re-chargeable account that allows subscribers to refill with scratch cards whenever they wish and for as much as they want, giving them freedom and control over telephone usage.
Thuraya provides cost-effective satellite-based communication solutions in urban centres, as well as remote areas and villages and seas beyond terrestrial telecom networks. It has nearly 100 national and international Service Providers (SPs) located across its coverage area that spans Europe, North and Central Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.