LHS, a leading provider of telecom billing and customer care systems across the wireless, wireline, and IP telecom markets worldwide, recently announced that SFR France has gone live with LHS’ billing and customer care system BSCS iX for its newly-established Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) business.

SFR, the second-largest mobile telecommunications operator in France , is using BSCS iX, iX Recharge and Selfcare Center SX to handle all end-customers of its MVNOs operations, whether they are prepaid or postpaid. The multi-company capabilities of BSCS iX will allow SFR to host and manage several MVNOs in a single installation of BSCS iX.

The first MVNO to use the SFR MVNE platform and its network is MobiSud. This MVNO launched its operations in France on December 1st . Owned by Maroc Telecom, SFR and Saham, Mobisud will address, with a tailored offer, all persons who live in France and have specific ties with the Maghreb region ( Morocco , Algria , Tunisia ). This offer – totally new on the French market – will facilitate all their communications with their relatives whether they are located in France or the Maghreb region.

“We have opted for BSCS iX to launch the MVNE business model, because BSCS iX is an end-to-end system coupled with the ability to manage several MVNOs within a single instance. The leading-edge technology and web-based applications of the system, as well as its self-service capabilities will enable us to improve our customer services, while minimizing costs. At the same time, we chose iX Recharge, because it is a secure, reliable and highly available voucher and refill management system for pre-paid, pre-integrated with BSCS iX,” said Daniel Clopeau, Chief Operating Officer of the SFR MVNE business unit.

“Customers have instant access to and control over their accounts via the web-based Selfcare Center . They can request new services or change their personal data, all in much shorter time”, said Wolfgang Kroh, Chief Executive Officer of LHS. “This is an important new customer project for LHS, as it proves the multi-company capabilities of BSCS iX in real-life, and demonstrates its full support for the business model of virtual network operators”, he added.

Capgemini, one of LHS’ partners for system integration, implemented the new system with support from LHS experts. Capgemini will also manage SFR’s complete MVNE business platform.

The excellent handling of BSCS iX allowed the full implementation of the MVNE infrastructure from scratch within a remarkably short period of six months.

About SFR
SFR, a subsidiary of Vivendi which holds 56% of its capital and Vodafone which holds 44%, is the second largest mobile telecommunications operator in France with a total of 17.2 million customers (excluding the customer base on behalf of third parties) and a market share of 35.8%.

SFR also holds a 40.7% stake in the country’s No. 2 fixed-line operator Neuf Cegetel.

About LHS
LHS is a leading provider of telecom billing and customer care systems across the wireless, wireline, and IP telecom markets worldwide.

LHS Business Support Systems offer full convergence on various levels, supporting the complete range of business models both across the mix of fixed and mobile services, as well as prepaid and postpaid services.

LHS builds innovative systems that enable our customers to introduce new services fast, helping drive revenues up, while keeping operational costs to a minimum. LHS was awarded “Best Billing or Customer Care Solution” by the GSM Association in Cannes in 2005, and won the IIR World Billing Awards for its “Overall Best Contribution to Billing” in London in 2005 and 2006.

LHS is an independent software vendor (ISV) with headquarters in Germany , and offices in Brazil , Czech Republic , France , Malaysia , Turkey , and United Arab Emirates . LHS is part of the LHS Group, and LHS Aktiengesellschaft as the Group’s Holding company is a public company listed on the Frankfurter Stock Exchange (LHS400).

For more information, please visit www.lhsgroup.com