Innovative Prepaid Solution with Real-Time Debiting and Account Re-Charge
COLUMBIA, Md., July 28, 2000—TECORE™ today announced that it has successfully deployed its AirCore® wireless prepaid platform for Mobitel in Sierra Leone, providing the carrier with such tools as real-time billing and account re-charge that will foster subscriber growth.

The TECORE prepaid system is connected to Mobitel’s wireless network and to SierraTel, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), using ITU R2 protocol.  Mobitel expects its subscriber base to increase threefold with the introduction of the AirCore platform.

“We selected TECORE because of its advanced technology, track record in working with operators in emerging markets and compatibility with our existing system,” said Graham McKinley, Mobitel managing director. “We have converted all of our subscribers to prepaid accounts and have reduced bill collection time from three to four months down to zero. In addition, we will market a prepackaged phone with prepaid cards that should triple our subscriber base and significantly improve our profitability in the next few months.

Unlike most prepaid systems that debit subscriber accounts after termination of calls, TECORE's solution performs real-time call rating and debiting, notifies subscribers when they are nearing the end of their prepaid limits and terminates calls automatically when customer accounts have been depleted. These prepaid features dramatically reduce the risk of bad debt and eliminate operator collection problems. In addition, subscribers can purchase prepaid scratch cards to replenish their account balance automatically without operator assistance. Upon purchasing the prepaid card at an outlet, the subscriber dials a special number and is guided by automated voice response to add the card credit to his or her account.

Expotech Ltd. of Silver Spring, Md., Mobitel’s technical consultant and network planner, selected TECORE’s advanced technology to suit Mobitel’s needs in Sierra Leone, a country recovering from a prolonged civil war. Congratulating TECORE on its successful Mobitel deployment, Dr. Richard P. Stevens, Expotech Ltd. chairman, noted that this prepaid platform technology would undoubtedly attract more attention in West Africa as the company’s real-time prepaid solution solves many administrative problems. It can be expected, according to Stevens, that TECORE’s success in Sierra Leone soon will be duplicated in other neighboring countries where Expotech Ltd. provides technical consultation.

“Prepaid is a highly attractive service for many telecommunications networks," said Shiblie O. Shiblie, TECORE’s Vice President of Business Development. “Prepaid subscribers often comprise a majority of the customer bases of international wireless operators. Because our solution is designed specifically for networks in small- to medium-size markets, it will allow these operators to offer prepaid service cost-effectively and will provide a significant competitive advantage.”

Mobitel is a cellular service provider operating an AMPS network in the capital city of Freetown, a major commercial center of about 1 million people

Founded in 1991 and based in Columbia, Md., privately held TECORE is a leading supplier of software-defined, scalable switching systems for the converging wireless, wireline and IP networks. TECORE's AirCore switching platform offers compact footprint, comprehensive feature set and cost-effective scalable capacity from 100 to as many as 100,000 subscribers. TECORE is a leading supplier of GSM-1900 switching infrastructure in the small- to medium-size markets, working with operators in six states covering 2 million in POPS. For more information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.tecore.com.