(Air)time is money

[rpm]

http://www.mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=5537

 

[Syndyre]

The business case for using airtime as a currency is a compelling one for mobile operators in some developing countries. Revenues are generally low and margins thin, so increasing the range of transactions gives operators a broader revenue stream.

Clearly this isn't a problem in SA.

 

[Tns]

This is ripe for exploit

 

[LCBXX]

So if you owe money to somebody, you pay them with talk-time/SMS-time/etc?
Am I missing something here? Why would anyone accept "airtime" instead of currency?

 

[JK8]

So if you owe money to somebody, you pay them with talk-time/SMS-time/etc?
Am I missing something here? Why would anyone accept "airtime" instead of currency?

Its almost the same thing... Ever heard of printing money?
Thats exactly what the SPs do.

 

[LCBXX]

Its almost the same thing... Ever heard of printing money?
Thats exactly what the SPs do.

Would it be OK if I pay for something with, lets say...pieces of my lawn? I'm laying a paved driveway and huge blocks of grass are going to waste. I already phoned Bert's Bricks - the manager doesn't want airtime, he gets a company phone.

 

[Syndyre]

So if you owe money to somebody, you pay them with talk-time/SMS-time/etc?
Am I missing something here? Why would anyone accept "airtime" instead of currency?

I think just because its easier to send/transfer, especially in Africa with undeveloped banking markets.

 

[d-_-b]

MTN Nigeria is selling prepaid top-up cards in the UK. This allows Nigerians living in the UK to buy airtime and send it to relatives in Nigeria.

Great stuff, now illegal immigrants can easily send money back to their home country.

 

[JK8]

Would it be OK if I pay for something with, lets say...pieces of my lawn? I'm laying a paved driveway and huge blocks of grass are going to waste. I already phoned Bert's Bricks - the manager doesn't want airtime, he gets a company phone.

They reposesed lawn in the movie Fun with Dick and Jane.
Try phoning Busi Boloyis Bricks CC, maybe they would exept the air time

Just kidding but its just another form of currency that smaller bussinesses might consider.

 

[LCBXX]

I think just because its easier to send/transfer, especially in Africa with undeveloped banking markets.

Agreed on the banking thing, but still - paying for bread/milk with airtime?? Why not yak a little less and have 10-bucks for 500ml milk and half-loaf? You'll save on airtime-transfer-bank-charges too!

 

[Terencek]

Interesting that this is highlighted at precisely the time Vodacom's Airtime Transfer system has been down for weeks! Vodacom says it is still 'working on the problem' -- so not a good idea to rely on this as a business model any time soon, methinks...