Prepaid Calling Providers Form Industry Association, Goal is to Enhance Consumer Value

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American PrePaid Phonecall Association

Jan 25, 2012, 05:03 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifteen leaders of the prepaid phone call industry gathered in Washington, D.C. this week and agreed to create an industry association. The new association, to be called the American PrePaid Phonecall Association, will focus on promoting high value prepaid telephone services to consumers and serving as the voice of the industry.

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Gustavo M. de la Garza Ortega, the president of Marcatel and a recognized international leader in the telecommunications sector, was elected Chairman, and Pete Pattullo, CEO of NetworkIP, was elected Vice Chairman. Gene Retske, who recently retired as editor of The Prepaid Press, will serve as the Executive Director and will oversee day to day operations.

The group of industry leaders, representing the majority of the prepaid calling market in the U.S., has created this association to protect the industry's interests, good name and public trust by guaranteeing best practices, and by speaking with one voice for the industry and its consumers.

"We decided to form an association because of the need for the industry to address issues as a group," said de la Garza. "Consumers will benefit from the association, which has pledged to provide a high value product for its millions of customers."

The prepaid phone call industry started in the U.S. in the early 1990s, and is the most important lifeline immigrants have to stay in contact with friends and family back home. Prepaid phone calls offer an easy and most economical way to make international long distance calls from any telephone.

"I have been watching this industry from its beginnings," said Retske, "and it is time for the leaders to come together and work as a team to help consumers get the best value from the services being offered."

The association will work closely with consumer groups and government regulators to protect consumer rights by setting standards for prepaid phone call providers and their products. Prepaid phone call providers who want more information about joining APPPA should contact Gene Retske, Executive Director, at (803) 732-3866 or by email at [email protected].

SOURCE American PrePaid Phonecall Association