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[A83]A Premium Rate Number

by Number Store, Num

"Premium rate numbers are a type of non-geographic number in the range of 090x. They do not relate to a specific geographic location, but point to an existing landline number. Customers calling on these numbers are transparently connected to a destination number, which could be a call centre, or to access pre-recorded and live content (such as adult and sports content), internet content, and access and download ring-tones or java based applications.

Revenue generation in the case of premium rate numbers is through the customers making calls to these numbers. They are charged through their regular telephone bills. The telephone service company in turn pays the network provider for connecting the customers' calls. And, the network provider pays the premium rate number service provider for their service.

Key Features

Premium rate numbers are easy to set up and are generally supplied with low installation charges.

A variety of services is available for promotion via premium rate numbers.

They are often memorable numbers which are suitable for advertising in a variety of media.

Services such as SMS and Instant Voice Record may be available with premium rate numbers.

Benefits of using Premium Rate Numbers

Help in marketing and advertising campaigns by enabling response capture, online games, etc.

One can compare different marketing campaigns by setting up more than one premium rate numbers pointing to just one landline number.

Help providing efficient customer service over telephone and even earn revenue on the same.

One can improve customer service by providing additional information or regular updates of products and services offered.

Track incoming calls and generate itemized reports

Fast and cost-free set up helps promote the company's services at affordable prices.

Even if a business changes its location, its number remains the same and accessible by customers as before.

Industry uses Premium rate numbers can be used in the following industries/ businesses:

Companies providing online information can charge their customers for the content setting up a premium rate number.

Charity firms which are looking for online donations.

Software companies providing online troubleshooting help to their customers can charge them for their service.

The article details all about Premium Rate SMS service, the benefits, charges and services. For end users it will help them to use the services judiciously. Premium rate SMS number works much in the same way as a premium rate telephone number. The only difference is that in a premium rate SMS the customer is charged for the messages that he sends while for a premium rate number he is charged for the calls that he makes to a premium rate number.

The customer pays approximately 100 to set up a Premium SMS service. There is a monthly administrative fee of 25 in addition to this. Monthly costs for shared shortcode keywords vary depending; it depends on the number of keywords the user employs. The charge is 25 each for one or two keywords; 15 each for three, four, or five keywords; and 10 each for six keywords or more.

Outpayment charges will vary per service provider. Vodafone charges 9.975p for a 25p premium SMS service; Virgin charges 7.5p, plus there are different rates for 50p, 100p, 150p, 300p, 500p Premium Rate numbers. Many companies are happy to help you get started in this business and render a Premium rate SMS setup to service providers. They do this with the assistance of SMS software that software they have obtained from a third party or that they have developed themselves.

Let us understand certain technical issues that are important for starting up the SMS service. If you have an existing application, website or messaging system you can integrate a new messaging software into the exixting application. Sometimes we may think twice before trying to implement a new application to run parallel with our existing application. The messaging softwares that are developed nowadays comes with easy integration capabilities. It can seamlessly integrated with any application or a web browser.

You can offer various services with the help of Premium Rate SMS service. The services offered can be anything from school results, train timetables to mobile gaming and buying wall papers and ringtones over the phone. Premium Rate SMS services are expanding the scope of marketing various products and marketers are going all out to take advantage of this service.

In some countries such as Australia there has been regularisation of Premium Rate SMS services where customers have a personal identification number to access the service. This helps unauthorised users from accessing this service and also prevent children from using services not meant for them.

Before you decide the operator from whom you would prefer to take your services, check out the revenue sharing model that they are adopting. It should not be the case that you make your investments and do not get sufficient revenue in return. The operator should provide 24*7 support because this is a critical factor for your business. Even an hours downtime can make your revenue calculations go haywire.

For customers using Premium Rate SMS service there is a word of caution. You should keep a track of the services used, incase you are taken for a ride in your bill you can always challenge the provider. If you can take care of the billing then you can use Premium Rate SMS service for many useful purposes.

Article Source : Pg. 140

About Author

Both Number Store & David Smythe are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Number Store has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet. . Number Store's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.

David Smythe has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Russian Wife and Alternative Medicine. It's a fact. You can make money in your sleep with and. David Smythe's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.