11 Dec 2002

AWCC has chosen Argent Networks award-winning ArgentEclipse product to provide pre paid and post paid billing and customer care for its wireless GSM and IP (Internet Protocol) networks.

By implementing ArgentEclipse, AWCC now has a real-time event based system that can bill for any service - whether it's voice or data - on either the GSM or IP network. The technology is also designed to rate and bill for every event as it occurs.

Installation of the ArgentEclipse billing system will allow AWCC - for the first time - to interconnect with other wireless service providers outside Afghanistan, a key step in Afghanistan's telecommunications development.

The contract includes hardware and software infrastructure, system deployment, platform maintenance and support, as well as training. Argent has already deployed personnel on site in Afghanistan to begin the installation and integration.

Argent Networks chief executive, Chris Jones, said the contract is both tremendously exciting and challenging: 'We're thrilled with this latest opportunity to showcase our advanced billing technology - particularly in such a diverse and challenging environment as Afghanistan.'

Talking specifically about the challenges of operating a GSM network in Afghanistan, Jones said: 'The first major challenge is that the infrastructure for the network is operating in an environment where there is unreliable or non-existent power, difficult physical characteristics, and major logistical difficulties.

'Secondly, you have the challenge of a monetary and banking system that is not yet fully developed - subscribers are not able to pay at the local ATM or by credit card, and the postal system cannot be relied on to deliver the monthly bill.'

It was the lack of financial infrastructure within Afghanistan that prompted AWCC to provide mobile services on a pre paid basis, and ultimately to appoint Argent. According to Jones, pre paid services are not only popular in Afghanistan, but globally.

Discussing his company's billing technology, Jones said: 'Argent is leading the pack with technology that is capable of handling PSTN, simultaneous billing, data billing by volume, as well as content based billing.'

Complementing Argent's pre paid billing technology is a post paid billing system that makes it possible to generate financial reports, as well as view invoices and account information online. In addition to the deployment of the billing technology, Argent is also handling the integration with the existing GSM infrastructure.

The AWCC GSM network is currently available in four primary cities - Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar. Jalalabad will be rolled out soon. Internet connectivity is being provided in Kabul and will be extended to the rest of the wireless network over the next year.

According to Ehsan Bayat, founder and president of TSI, the network will be a ground breaking example for other developing countries building networks with limited or non-existent infrastructure: 'The combination of satellite links, voice and IP data, as well as pre paid and post paid billing is unique, allowing us to offer the service at minimum cost and delay. It's a very attractive model for developing countries.