WaveCrest, a global provider of voice solutions, has signed a deal with charity Penny Appeal to develop a pioneering international calling app. The app will operate on a profit-sharing model, with profits from international calls split between WaveCrest and Penny Appeal. This will allow users to support the charity's work helping the poor and needy around the world through their phone calls. The app is expected to launch in Q4 2015 for iOS and Android, and will compete with other low-cost calling apps like Skype and WhatsApp by offering customers a compelling incentive to donate to charity.
Effective marketing in mobile and digital commerce
Penny Appeal Press release - Oct 2015
1. MEDIARELEASE
19th
October 2015
WAVECREST CHALLENGES VOIP SERVICES AS IT SIGNS DEAL WITH PENNY APPEAL
CHARITY TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL CALLING APP
WaveCrest, the global provider of branded voice solutions, and humanitarian aid charity Penny
Appeal today signed a deal to develop a pioneering international calling app that will operate on a
profit-sharing business model, allowing users to support the work of the charity while they talk.
Through the deal, WaveCrest intends to take on other similar international calling apps and attract
consumers away from low-cost VoIP platforms, such as Skype and WhatsApp, by providing them
with a compelling, charity incentive. Profits from international calls on the app will be split between
WaveCrest and Penny Appeal.
One of the first of its kind, the Penny Appeal International Calling app will be developed in-house
by WaveCrest, which has recently scaled up its mobile application development team, and calls
will be routed via its well-established international call termination network. WaveCrest terminates
in excess of 3 billion voice minutes per year, and has more than 300 active interconnects.
With a strong heritage as a wholesale telecoms provider, WaveCrest recently established itself as
one of the leading providers of branded international calling apps for companies and charities. In
2012, the company partnered with Tesco to launch its successful international calling smartphone
app. WaveCrest is also working with a number of organisations to launch branded calling apps
over the next 12 months.
Penny Appeal works in over 30 crisis-hit countries around the world, providing life-saving aid to the
poor and needy. With more Facebook 'Likes' than big names like Oxfam UK and partnerships with
international celebrities such as world champion boxer Amir Khan, the charity is undergoing a
period of significant expansion with the aim of tackling poverty in sustainable ways for even more
people worldwide.
Calls will be competitively priced and the app will be available for download on both iOS and
Android devices in Q4 2015. It will also have an internal advertising panel showing details of the
charity campaign that the call is contributing towards. Customers will also be able to connect to
Penny Appeal's 24/7 donation line directly through the app, and it allows customers to share the
latest news and updates on charity campaigns via Facebook and Twitter. As calls on the app will
2. be made through the phone's internal dialler function, users will also keep the same outgoing
mobile phone number.
Chris Adams, CEO of WaveCrest, said: "As the international calling market comes under
pressure from VoIP providers like Skype and, now, WhatsApp, the telecoms sector needs to find
new ways to entice customers to our services. The reliable carrier-grade call quality we provide is
one reason.
"But we must also start to think in different ways and partner with different types of organisation. In
our global-village world, the telecoms industry has many new opportunities and choices. One of
those is to make a conscious decision to help others. We have made that decision and I’m proud to
be partnering with Penny Appeal.
"Penny Appeal is doing fantastic work worldwide and we believe many people will jump at the
chance to donate profits of their calling costs to the charity. Customers will be able to keep the
same mobile number and the app will be available for download on both iOS and Android devices.
It doesn't cost the end-user any extra money and in fact they have the added convenience of being
able to call directly from a well-designed and fully featured smartphone app.”
Aamer Naeem, Penny Appeal CEO, said: “Penny Appeal has a ‘small change, big difference’
philosophy, so bringing in regular donations from this profit-sharing business model will go a long
way towards transforming the lives of the poor around the world.
“It’s fantastic to launch such an innovative offering and we’re delighted to be working with such a
forward-thinking organisation like WaveCrest. We really believe our affordable way of contacting
loved-ones overseas and at the same time helping those in need, will have a huge appeal to the
public.”
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Jordan Greenaway
Right Angles
jordan.greenaway@90degrees.co.uk
+44 7554 380927
Notes To Editors
About Wavecrest
With more than 300 active interconnects, WaveCrest provides a full range of termination and
origination services throughout the world. They terminate more than 3 billion voice minutes per
3. year, which generate more than $200 million in revenues. It recently opened a dedicated unit within
the business to develop and launch branded international calling mobile applications.
Headquartered in London, it has regional offices in France, Germany, Italy and Dubai. It was
acquired in December 2014 by international digital services company New Call Telecom.
About Penny Appeal
Penny Appeal was launched in 2009 and now works in over 30 crisis-hit countries worldwide. As a
humanitarian charity, we work to alleviate poverty by installing wells, caring for orphans and the
elderly, building orphanages, opening schools, restoring sight, delivering nutritious meals,
providing emergency aid and much more.
For more information visit www.pennyappeal.org