Leading UK and Ireland energy retailer Scottish and Southern Energy, together with global mobile payments specialists Telrock, have launched technology to revolutionize the way millions of customers manage their energy and telecoms accounts.
The software being the first of its kind in the UK energy market, enables Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) customers to confirm their energy bill is accurate and make payments directly via their mobile phone as a simple alternative to call-centres, post or internet.
SSE's Smartphone and iPad customers download and register the app from the iTunes store. In order to make payments, customers simply respond to the payment request directly in the app making payment as quick and simple as the touch of a button. For non-Smartphone customers, 2-way text messaging is used as the secure payment mechanism.
Before Telrock implemented its mobile payment technology, many SSE customers paid bills between 14 to 21 days after their statement was delivered by post. Where SSE customers are now using the mobile payment channel, 74% pay within 48 hours and 26% pay within 15 minutes of receiving the mobile notification; a significant difference in customer behavior.
The SSE Southern Electric App is currently listed No.1 in the Free Business app category in the Apple iTunes app store.
SSE is the broadest based energy utility in Great Britain and Ireland, supplying electricity and gas to around 10 million homes and businesses and has been consistently rated No.1 for customer service.