Scottish and Southern Energy & Telrock Launch Secure Mobile Bill Payments

LONDON, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

Leading UK and Ireland energy retailer Scottish and Southern Energy, together with global mobile payments specialists Telrock, have launched technology to revolutionise the way millions of customers manage their energy and telecoms accounts.

The software being the first of its kind in the UK energy market, enables Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) customers to confirm their energy bill is accurate and make payments directly via their mobile phone as a simple alternative to call-centres, post or internet.

SSE's Smartphone and iPad customers download and register the app from the iTunes store. In order to make payments, customers simply respond to the payment request directly in the app making payment as quick and simple as the touch of a button. For non-Smartphone customers, 2-way text messaging is used as the secure payment mechanism.

Before Telrock implemented it's mobile payment technology, many SSE customers paid bills between 14-21 days after their statement was delivered by post. Where SSE customers are now using the mobile payment channel, 74% pay within 48 hours and 26% pay within 15 minutes of receiving the mobile notification; a significant difference in customer behavior.

SSE: Natalie Bookless Digital Manager 'The iPhone app gives our customers more control over the way they service their account and when they chose to do it. Our iPhone app lets customers submit meter readings and pay bills at the touch of a button. It's all about making it as easy for them to self-serve as possible.'

Telrock: Russell Robinson CEO 'In our fast paced world, offering customers a simple way to manage time consuming tasks has a significant impact on customers satisfaction levels and responsiveness, as we have proven with SSE. This is an exciting time in mobile payments for Telrock and our Partners'.

The SSE Southern Electric App is currently listed No.1 in the Free Business app category in the Apple iTunes app store.

Telrock innovate & develop secure decision based mobile payment and customer management applications using interactive text messaging, apps and mobile web for Energy Suppliers and Financial Institutions worldwide. This month Telrock has been listed for a second time in research specialist Gartner's Cool Vendors in Utilities 2011.

SSE is the broadest based energy utility in Great Britain and Ireland, supplying electricity and gas to around 10 million homes and businesses and has been consistently rated No.1 for customer service.

http://www.telrock.com

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

    
    Contacts details:

    Telrock - Telephony Enquiries
    UK +44-(0)207-183-1573
    USA +1-(678)-791-4808
    Germany +49-699-073-2324
    http://www.telrock.com
    info@telrock.com

    UK Registered Head Office
    Telrock
    81 Rivington Street
    Shoreditch
    London
    EC2A 3AY