Top VoIP brand Skype has chosen the technology from
Smart Voucher -the same used for Ukash- to power Skype Credit in
Japan
Skype Communications, the eBay-owned global voice over IP (VoIP)
provider has chosen technology from Smart Voucher to power its
Skype Credit programme in Japan. By extending the availability of
Skype Credit in the retail sector, Skype hopes to rapidly increase
the number of Skype users in Japan.
UK-based Smart Voucher, the company behind UkashTM,
Europe's fastest growing solution for online cash payments, already
provides Skype with payment systems for customers in the UK and the
USA.
The patented Smart Voucher technology is used to power the
purchase, activation and redemption of pre-paid Skype Credit
coupons. The coupons are made available in retail outlets and when
redeemed online top-up the customer's Skype Credit account,
enabling low cost calls to be made to landlines and mobiles
worldwide.
Now Skype customers in Japan will be able to get Skype Credit
too, by purchasing coupons from Famiport multimedia kiosks
installed at approximately 7,300 FamilyMart stores nationwide and
operated by FamilyMart Co. Ltd. The roll-out is being managed by
Itochu Corporation, Skype's sole distributor to the retail sector
in Japan for Skype Credit.
The coupons are available in 500 yen, 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen,
3,000 yen and 5,000 yen denominations or multiples of five e.g. a
pack of five 3,000 yen coupons or a pack of five 5,000 yen
coupons.
Mark Chirnside, Smart Voucher CEO, said: "Until now Skype Credit
in Japan has only been available online using credit cards. The
Smart Voucher system already successfully deployed for Skype in the
USA and UK will now be used to make Skype Credit available via
retail outlets to cash consumers or those with concerns about their
cards online. Each day millions of consumers in the USA, Europe and
South Africa have their financial transactions processed by Smart
Voucher, making us the technology partner of choice for high
profile applications such as these."
Smart Voucher has been chosen by Skype, and other leading
companies such as William Hill plc, due to its proven track record
in delivering cutting-edge services using secure, reliable and
scalable patented technology."Supporting Skype Credit in Japan is a
great opportunity for Smart Voucher to extend its services into the
Asian market and to build on our successful growth in the USA,
Europe and South Africa," concludes Mark Chirnside.