TelBru, Brunei Bay Radio and Card Access Services Brunei Launch Low Cost Electronic Payment Service Using the High Frequency (HF) and Radio Network

Thursday, 18 June 2009, 19:24 HKT/SGT

CommunicAsia, Singapore, June 18, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - TelBru, Brunei's largest telecommunications and information technology provider, Brunei Bay Radio (BBR), operator of the South East Asian HF/SBB radio email hub and Card Access Services (CAS) Brunei, the leading provider of payment services in Brunei, will become the first to launch a payment service operating over the High Frequency (HF) band network.

Targeted at remote communities, isolated businesses and commercial vessels, the service called EziPay, provides a secure way to collect electronic payments in areas where cell-phone and land-line coverage is not available.

Developed by CAS, transactions are processed using a compact and secure card swipe device called the CASPAD in conjunction with software that is installed on the business's PC or laptop.

Each transaction is transmitted in real time using the secure BBRemail service over the HF radio network and to the bank via the Telbru Electronic Payment Gateway (EPG), supplied and installed by CAS Brunei.

Muhammad Reeda Hj Malik, General Manager, E-Government Business, TelBru stated "Deployment of a local EPG is the first step in our strategy to provide secure and low cost electronic payment services to government and to businesses within Brunei. CAS Bruneis systems have been proven elsewhere in the world and provide us with the flexibility we need for our market including payments over non-traditional communication channels such as HF."

The service allows businesses to accept payments from all major credit and charge cards anywhere and anytime and issue a payment receipt on the spot to the customer.

Further, as the payment is processed in real time, the business has the peace of mind that the payment has been received with funds automatically deposited into their bank account.

EziPay also provides automated reports which help to simplify account reconciliation processes and free up resources for more important duties such as growing the business instead of dealing with paperwork.

"EziPay provides a convenient and alternative way for businesses to accept payments from their customers, helping them improve their cash flow and reduce the risk of dishonours associated with paper based alternatives" said Stelios Savva, General Manager, Card Access Services.

The service will go live at the end of June with subscribers to Brunei Bay Radio.

"We have radio email subscribers who want to collect payments from guests on live-aboard dive boats and similar isolated tourist based operations. They presently take paper imprints for manual processing at a later time. This has caused problems when paper slips get wet and cannot be read or if card payments cannot be validated and the guests have already departed. EziPay eliminates these problems and gives our subscribers an automated payment collection and reconciliation tool" said Allan Riches, Managing Director, Brunei Bay Radio.

About TelBru

TelBru, Brunei's premier telecommunication company, provides comprehensive ICT services to the nation estimated population of 370,000 people. With a large presence in the government and private business sectors, TelBru has deployed the first Electronic Payment Gateway (EPG) in Brunei, a key component of its payment strategy moving forward. Visit telbru.com.bn.

About Brunei Bay Radio (BBR)

Brunei Bay Radio (BBR) has provided the South East Asian HF/SSB radio hub for the worldwide SailMail service email, voice, weather and safety information for cruising yachts since 2002. BBR also provides radio email services to a range of tourist operators throughout South East Asia. Visit www.bruneibay.net/bbradio.

About Card Access Services (CAS) Brunei

Card Access Services Brunei is a wholly owned subsidiary of Card Access Services Australia, Australia's leading provider of payment and transactional services. Via its Electronic Payment Gateway ETX, CAS facilitates the secure collection of cash and electronic payments, allowing businesses to streamline their operations and remove the burden of payment processing and accounts reconciliation. CAS Brunei installed its payment gateway suite of software in Brunei for TelBru in 2008 and provides consultancy, technical and sales support services in the region. Visit www.cardaccess.com.au.

For more information:

Mr. Stelios Savva
General Manager
Card Access Services
Ph: +61-22-9906-7209
E: ssavva@cardaccess.com.au

Topic: Corporate Announcement
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