Press Releases
DIGITATA LIMITED PLACED IN THE 2013 RED HERRING TOP 100 GLOBAL
The Red Herring editorial team selects the companies demonstrating the most innovative technologies and business models originating from over 1000 companies from over 40 nations. These companies, representing past Red Herring Asia, Europe and North America awards, are judged on a range of qualitative and quantitative metrics, including but not limited to, technology innovation, financial performance, growth criterion, management's execution standards, potential globalization of the strategy and market share improvement.
“Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across the globe to the Top 100 Winners. We believe Digitata Limited embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. Digitata should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was the strongest it has ever been.”
The Red Herring Global Top 100 Winners were announced on the evening of November 20 at the Red Herring Global 2013 Forum in Santa Monica, California.
Digitata is the creator of the Dynamic Tariffing™ System (DTS), which was the first dynamic pricing product to be launched commercially by a mobile operator (launched by MTN Swaziland in 2007).
The Digitata Dynamic Tariffing™ System is software that enables a mobile telecommunications operator to offer dynamically varying tariffs to their prepaid subscribers based on the analysis of available network resources, local demographics and current socio-economic conditions.
Digitata’s Dynamic Tariffing™ System is an innovation that brings mobile telephony within reach of a socio-economic group that was previously excluded by price, thereby narrowing the “Digital Divide” (the disparity between access to telecommunications in the developing world compared with that in the developed world). Using the Dynamic Tariffing™ System, mobile network operators are able to offer telephony for as little as 1% of the usual tariff in certain areas and at certain times of the day.
Mr Conal Lewer-Allen (CCO of Digitata Limited) said, “We are delighted that Digitata has been included in the Red Herring Top 100 Global list of companies. Enabling technologies like Dynamic Tariffing™, that place mobile telecommunications within reach of most of the population, also drive developing countries to leap-frog over the fixed line barrier to connectivity. Now offering Dynamic Tariffing for Data, Digitata brings the same benefits to mobile broadband, right at a time when low cost smartphones are entering the market.”
ABOUT RED HERRING
Red Herring is a global media company which unites the world’s best high technology innovators, venture investors and business decision makers in a variety of forums: a leading innovation magazine, an online daily technology news service, technology newsletters and major events for technology leaders around the globe. Red Herring provides an insider’s access to the global innovation economy, featuring unparalleled insights on the emerging technologies driving the economy.
MTN SWAZILAND IS THE FIRST OPERATOR TO IMPLEMENT NEWLY-RELEASEDVERSION 4.1 OF DIGITATA’S DYNAMIC TARIFFING™ SOLUTION
PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS, 8 OCTOBER 2013: MTN Swaziland is the first mobile operator to implement the recently-released version 4.1 of Digitata’s Dynamic Tariffing™ System, having upgraded in August 2013.
MTN Swaziland has been using Digitata’s Dynamic Tariffing™ System (DTS) since 2007, making them the first operation ever to launch a dynamic pricing product. The DTS solution was commercially launched as MTN Swaziland’s MTN Zone offering, on a partial basis in August 2007 with a full national launch following in June 2008.
Digitata’s Dynamic Tariffing™ system Version 4.1 offers the latest functionality, following continuous evolution of the product over a period of 6 years in conjunction with our customers. Customers installing DTS 4.1 enjoy the following new features and benefits:
• Dynamic Bandwidth Control • Subscriber Notification Service (SNS) • Operational Support Interface • Report Favourites • Improved Portal graphical user interface
Mr Ted Bartlett, CEO of Digitata Limited, stated: "With the move to version 4, the underlying architecture of the Dynamic Tariffing System was simplified; Version 4.1 now builds on this by streamlining the interfaces to the system, allowing operators to directly take greater control of their products and solutions without exhaustive training. When coupled with the new features that focus on the end-subscriber communications, the operator has a fantastic means of controlling their offers from end to end - rapidly, simply and in a controlled manner."
ABOUT MTN SWAZILAND
MTN Swaziland LTD is a subsidiary of the MTN Group, Africa's leading cellular telecommunications company, and started operating in September 1998. MTN Swaziland is the only mobile telecommunications company in the country. By December 1998, MTN Swaziland was commercially operational.
In February 2007, MTN Swaziland was the first to pilot the Dynamic Tariffing System (DTS), at which time they had some 268,000 customers. MTN Swaziland launched the DTS service commercially on a partial basis in August 2007 and embarked on a full national launch in June 2008.
On 30 June 2008, MTN Swaziland recorded an impressive 457,000 strong subscriber base, which is approximately half of the Swazi population.
The MTN Swaziland mission statement is: “To make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter.” For more information, contact Ms. Gugu Mthembu Email: gugumt@mtn.co.za
DIGITATA LIMITED SHORTLISTED AS A FINALIST FORTHE 2013 RED HERRING TOP 100 ASIA AWARD
According to Red Herring, nominees are evaluated on quantitative and qualitative criteria including financial performance, technological innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their respective industries, as well as a review of company track records and standings.
"Entrepreneurship in Asia has reached an inflexion point, and as a result Red Herring Asia 2013, has shifted into a new phase," said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. "A second generation of entrepreneurs with CEO backgrounds is emerging and their execution skills and global ambitions lead to restless growth and amazing journeys. As importantly, we are seeing more companies from countries once absent from innovation circles. Digitata shows great promise and therefore deserves to be among the finalists. Now we’re faced with the difficult task of selecting the Top 100 winners of Red Herring Asia. We know that the 2013 crop will reward us for long and continued efforts in scouting disruptive companies in Asia. The wealth of talent and achievements displayed by Red Herring Asia finalists is an excellent predictor for the new world rising.”
Digitata and the other Red Herring finalists are presenting their winning strategies at the Red Herring Asia Forum in Hong Kong, from today until 5 September 2013. The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony to be held on 5 September 2013.
Digitata is the creator of the Dynamic Tariffing™ System (DTS), which was the first dynamic pricing product to be launched commercially by a mobile operator (launched by MTN Swaziland in 2007). Digitata also offered the first end-to-end Dynamic Tariffing™ data solution, which focuses on customer communication and control, and is complemented by a mobile app for the subscriber handset.
Digitata also offers a unique Guided Analytics (GA) service that complements the Dynamic Tariffing™ solution, offering sophisticated network and subscriber analytics, experienced leadership and executable advice on the management of Dynamic Tariffing™ in a telecommunications network.
Digitata’s Dynamic Tariffing™ System is now used by over 70 million subscribers, and has been implemented in some 23 mobile networks.
Mr Conal Lewer-Allen (CCO of Digitata Limited) said, “Digitata is pleased to have been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Red Herring Top 100 Asia award, recognizing the top private companies in Asia, and we look forward to presenting Digitata in Hong Kong this week.”
ABOUT RED HERRING
Red Herring is a global media company which unites the world’s best high technology innovators, venture investors and business decision makers in a variety of forums: a leading innovation magazine, an online daily technology news service, technology newsletters and major events for technology leaders around the globe. Red Herring provides an insider’s access to the global innovation economy, featuring unparalleled insights on the emerging technologies driving the economy.
DIGITATA OFFERS FIRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE,END-TO-END DYNAMIC TARIFFING™ SOLUTION FOR DATA
PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS, 30 May 2012: Digitata Limited, already known for their revolutionary Dynamic Tariffing™ solution, announced today the first end-to-end Dynamic Tariffing™ data solution to be offered commercially. The solution is currently being offered commercially to a closed user group by MTN Swaziland.
Digitata’s new patent-pending data solution focuses on customer communication and control. Communication with the subscriber is via a widget (see figure below) and, for the first time, the subscriber can control their own data usage according to discounts offered on the network. The control options can also be managed by a third party, allowing (for example) parents to retain some control over their children’s data usage.
The solution offers a win-win situation, contributing towards the flattening of network usage peaks, while at the same time providing a better value proposition for operators, and making data more affordable to subscribers. This in turn leads to increased subscriber numbers and revenue.
With few integration points, the solution can be deployed quickly, reducing time to market.
Mr Ted Bartlett, CEO of Digitata Limited, expressed his excitement about the new data offering being commercially implemented in MTN Swaziland. He explains, “Data usage is expanding rapidly and presents challenges to mobile operators, amongst others. Recognising the importance of controlling usage, together with the commonly encountered "Bill Shock" that customers experience, Digitata has approached the problem in a manner that is mutually beneficial. Digitata’s is the first data solution to offer the customer control over their data spending down to application type, and to use a metric that everyone understands - cost. By using data smartly, users consume far more discerningly and willingly adjust behaviour in a manner that is beneficial to the operators. Solving this problem and launching a commercial solution is a significant achievement and one that Digitata is proud to be a global leader in”.
Mr Anand Naidoo, CTO of MTN Swaziland, said: “MTN Swaziland is proud to be the first to launch Digitata’s revolutionary Dynamic Tariffing™ Data solution. The solution offers a powerful tool to regulate network utilization, by incentivizing subscribers to change their data usage behavior. This will also enable MTN Swaziland to monetize unused internet capacity, especially during off-peak hours, thereby effectively utilizing the already very expensive internet bandwidth. Our subscribers will immediately realize direct benefits by getting more value for their money.”
ABOUT MTN SWAZILAND
MTN Swaziland LTD is a subsidiary of the MTN Group, Africa's leading cellular telecommunications company, and started operating in September 1998. MTN Swaziland is the only mobile telecommunications company in the country. By December 1998, MTN Swaziland was commercially operational.
In 1999, MTN launched an E4 million voicemail system, which met the 12 month coverage obligation nine months ahead of schedule. By February 2002, the company increased coverage to 75% and launched SMS services in the same year, earning the company E71 million in revenues.
The success of the company continued with additional products and services, including the launch of FaxMail in March 2003, an SMS information service, Virtual Recharge and Call Back services. In 2006, MTN launched 'Access 90', a product that gave subscribers up to 90 days' free access.
In February 2007, MTN Swaziland was the first to pilot the Dynamic Tariffing System (DTS), at which time they had some 268,000 customers. MTN Swaziland launched the DTS service commercially on a partial basis in August 2007 and embarked on a full national launch in June 2008.
On 30 June 2008, MTN Swaziland recorded an impressive 457,000 strong subscriber base, which is approximately half of the Swazi population.
The MTN Swaziland mission statement is: “Always disciplined and committed to excellent service delivery, and the achievement of operational targets within agreed timelines.”
For more information, contact Mr Anand NaidooEmail: Naidoo_A@mtn.co.za
DIGITATA LIMITED INVESTS IN TRANSACTION-CONTROLINNOVATOR, TRANWALL
PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS, 20 OCTOBER 2011: Digitata Limited, known for their revolutionary Dynamic Tariffing™ solution, announced today that the company has invested in Tranwall. Tranwall is a progressive company operating in the global payments industry, offering banks, consumers and merchants innovative transaction control solutions.
The patented Tranwall system offers card holders and issuers the ability to control the status of debit and credit cards in real time, and can also offer second factor authentication to internet banking services using a mobile phone.
Mr Ted Bartlett, CEO of Digitata Limited, believes the injection of capital into Tranwall will enable the company to accelerate growth, and facilitate acceptance of its flagship product with major banking institutions -- a step required for the benefits of mobile transaction control to finally be accessible to the majority of cardholders worldwide.
Digitata’s investment in Tranwall is also aimed at opening the door for further collaboration between the two companies in Digitata’s other development areas - the revenue management and mobile money space.
