Netsize, a leading mobile commerce and communications enabler, today announces that it has extended the network coverage of Netsize mPayment, its solution for global remote payments, with three mobile network operators in South Africa, Vodacom, MTN, and soon, Cell-C.

The expansion follows the acquisition by Netsize of Africa2you’s assets, a wireless services provider based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“South Africa is at the forefront of mobile, having one of the highest growth rates for mobile content services,” says Stanislas Chesnais, Chairman and CEO, Netsize. “With Netsize mPayment, content providers can use operator-based billing for charging pay-per-use and subscription services.”

In addition, Netsize announces the availability of subscription services billing with Netsize mPayment on the network of MTS, the largest mobile network operator in Russia with close to 66 million subscribers.

Netsize mPayment enables clients to define alias, end user price point, billing frequency, retry scheme and expiry date. End users confirm their subscription service opt-in by sending an SMS MO message. Opt-in through WAP or PIN-code authenticated web request will be available in the first quarter of 2010.

The new services will be presented in a live online seminar on November 26, 2009.
For more information and to register for this seminar please visit www.netsize.com

• International survey reveals companies and brands bullish on mobile marketing benefits, but lack skills set to execute campaigns
• Strong growth ahead for SMS and MMS messaging, positive outlook for branded apps and mobile websites
• High interest in targeting consumers, high concerns that opt-in databases won’t deliver

Among the key findings:

• Mobile is part of the mix to attract and keep customers: The vast majority of respondents (56%) currently use mobile to acquire new customers. But that will change as respondents follow through on their plans to boost customer retention and loyalty through mobile marketing (64%), streamline transactions (37%) and enable commerce and sales using a mobile device (37%).
• Messaging is essential: Usage of MMS is poised for significant growth, with with 22% of respondents revealing plans to double deployment in the next six months. The use of SMS messaging is also on the rise, but will move from a one-way message to a two-way conversation.
• Marked interest in more innovative formats: Respondents reported use of branded content will increase from 29% to 35%, use of branded apps will rise from 23% to 35%. Finally, use of mobile coupons and QR codes will jump from 20% to 31%.
• Mobile marketing is teamwork: The vast majority of respondents (47%) outsource to providers that can meet their requirements for a fully-managed marketing solution. Campaign execution services was the most sought-after skill (57%), followed by measurement, analytics and reporting (54%), technical services and integration (52%), and mobile campaign management (52%).
• Quality of opt-in campaign databases is a main concern: One-third of respondents (32%) expressed concern over the quality of the customer mobile phone numbers stored in their opt-in databases.

“Market adoption of mobile marketing is accelerating. The survey results and analysis show companies and brands recognize the business benefits associated with mobile marketing and are serious about integrating mobile in their strategies,” says Stanislas Chesnais, Chairman and CEO, Netsize. “Respondents told us they are increasing use of messaging to engage in conversations with consumers on their mobile phone, and stepping up efforts to harness other exciting formats and approaches such as WAP sites, mobile websites and branded content. This momentum can only grow as the economy picks up steam.”

ABOUT THE REPORT

“Netsize Mobile Marketing Survey 2009: Can companies and brands rise to challenge and cash in on the mobile marketing opportunity?” is available from www.netsize.com.
The survey was conducted by Netsize to determine the role and usage of mobile marketing and the perceived business benefits. In total 221 respondents from four regions (Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific/Australia and Africa/Middle East) participated in this online survey for the period from September 15, 2009 through October 1, 2009.

Netsize, leading mobile commerce and communications enabler, today announced the launch of its Global market survey for Mobile Marketing.

The survey aims to uncover the extent to which mobile marketing has become a mature instrument in the marketing mix. Researched topics include strategic drivers, tactics, resources, opt-in data and short term plans for deployment.

The survey follows the one that Netsize conducted end of 2008 in collaboration with Informa Telecoms & Media as part of the Netsize Guide 2009. The study found that the number of companies that spend over 5% of their digital budget on mobile was expected to increase from 30% to 49% by 2010, a growth of 63%.

“The results very clearly suggested that mobile marketing is bound to become main stream,” says Stanislas Chesnais, Chairman and CEO, Netsize. “This year’s survey provides a reality check: how are companies moving ahead with mobile marketing in the current economic frame, and what did they do to enable successful campaigns.”

The Netsize mobile marketing survey report will be published begin October. A summary of the report is available free of charge to all participants.

Participate in the survey

Netsize, a leading mobile commerce and communications enabler, today announced that Patrick Thinet has joined as Chief Financial Officer.

“With Patrick Thinet, we strengthen our team with a Chief Financial Officer who has an extensive experience in our industry and a strong track record in publicly quoted companies,” says Stanislas Chesnais, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Netsize. “Patrick’s experience in investor relationships will reinforce Netsize’s position as leading global mobile service provider as the company continues to strengthen its market and financial position.”

“I am delighted to join Netsize,” says Patrick Thinet. “Netsize is a company that is very well positioned for its next stage of growth, with great talent, competitive technology and a strong customer base. I look forward to bringing my experience and achieving great value to all Netsize stakeholders.”

Mr Thinet joins Netsize from Index Multimedia (Euronext:MUL), a leading designer of value-added mobile products and services for consumers and businesses in Europe, where he has been Chief Financial Officer since 2006.

Patrick graduated in 1992 at HEC Business School in France, and started in Audit and Corporate Finance at Deloitte & Touche, Salustro Reydel & Associés and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He continued his career in international finance as a Chief Financial Officer with Artis in 2001, with Axorys (ex Euraltech) (Euronext:ERT) from 2002, and most recently with Index Multimedia.