WASHINGTON, March 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American PrePaid Phonecall Association (APPPA) has announced that it has established standards for prepaid phone call providers in the U.S who want to join. APPPA is a newly formed association that is dedicated to the promotion of high quality prepaid calling products to consumers. The group of 12 Founding Members, including the leading independent providers of prepaid phone calls, have now opened membership to anyone who meets the membership qualifications.
Pete Pattullo, Vice Chairman of the APPPA Founding Board, and CEO of Network IP, said, "APPPA's primary focus is to promote and evolve industry standards creating a level competitive landscape, while protecting and maximizing the customer experience. For this reason, APPPA membership will be made available to service providers who operate in accordance with the best practices in the industry."
APPPA is open to any prepaid provider of phone call services who is registered with the FCC as a common carrier. Members also meet other basic standards, including the filing of mandatory regulatory documents and payment of associated taxes and fees. Hosted platform providers may also join APPPA if they can show that they require their customers to be compliant.
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.
"The consumer is the ultimate beneficiary," said Gene Retske, Executive Director of APPPA. "As an association, our job is to assure that members are operating in a way that assures consumers will have a positive experience."
Prepaid service providers or hosting companies are encouraged to call the APPPA office at 202-370-7600, extension 100, with questions about membership. APPPA offers mentoring programs to help providers with attaining membership by adopting best practices.
About the APPPA
The group of industry leaders represents the majority of the prepaid calling market in the U.S. and created an association to protect the industry's interests, good name and public trust by providing best practices, and to speak with one voice for the industry and its consumers. Prepaid phone call providers who want more information about joining APPPA should contact Gene Retske, Executive Director, at (202) 370-7600 or by email, execdir@apppa.us
The American PrePaid Phonecall Association logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12043