Batelco electronic payment channels offer convenience and cash prizes

Through a wide range of channels; namely the Batelco e-services website (www.e-services.com.bh), IVR (Interactive Voice Response) payment system on 17 88 11 11, Quick Serve terminals, and Batelco's SMS payment system, customers can now avoid the hassle of long queues in increasingly busy Batelco retail outlets, and pay their bills or carry out other transactions at their convenience.

But now, Batelco is making the use of its on-line payment channels even more rewarding by conducting a monthly raffle for every customer who pays his/her bill through Internet, IVR, Quick Serve or SMS payment during the period from 17th August till 17th October 2005. Customers will be automatically entered into a raffle draw whenever they pay their mobile, Internet or fixed-line bills through any of these electronic channels during the promotion period.

"Like everyone today, our customers are busy people and the time spent in queuing at counters is precious time they can save to do other things. We have the technologies to make at least this part of life easier and more convenient. Through our electronic channels campaign, we are offering customers monetary raffle prizes for two months to provide an extra incentive to let them examine how easy it is paying their bills online" explains Ian Dench, General Manager Sales & Marketing at Batelco.

Batelco's electronic channels are linked to the company's payment gateway @ltijara.com, which processes the payments. Upon receiving the credit or debit card information, @ltijara forwards the details for authorization to the International Credit Card companies or Benefit, then credits or debits the amount from the customer's account and finally confirms payment to the customer.

Providing these online payments facilities forms a significant element of a long-term strategy that the company has designed to help improve customer satisfaction.