1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of mobile communication, and, more specifically, to a system and method for offering mobile communication plans.
2. Description of the Related Art
Use of mobile communication devices (“MCDs”), such as mobile telephones, is wide spread. Mobile communication devices are devices that are mobile and can send and receive communication signals such as all mobile phones (also referred to as “cell phones”). Example mobile communication devices are any device that provides mobile telephone capabilities.
MCD users, referred to herein as “subscribers”, “users”, or “MCD users”, can often purchase different types of mobile communication plans, to allow the Subscribers to, for example, conduct calls, send and receive messages (such as short message service (SMS) or multimedia message service (MMS)), and send and receive other data. The mobile communication plans provide the subscriber, for example, a maximum number of call minutes and/or a maximum amount of data, and have a specified duration (often referred to as “validity”). Mobile communication plan pricing can take a variety of forms such as flat fee or usage based such as per minute and/or per megabyte of data.
Subscribers have a variety of ways to select their mobile communication plans. For example, the subscriber can discuss particular mobile communication plans with a sales representative or select a mobile communication plan through a web site. Additionally, mobile communication service providers may send a mobile communication plan offer via an SMS message to a large number of subscribers. The subscribers can respond to the mobile communication plan offer if desired. However, because the mobile communication plan offers are generated for a large segment of users, an individual subscriber may not be able to evaluate the value of the offer to him or her. Additionally, generic plan offerings tend to cause subscribers to move from one mobile communication provider to another.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a mobile communication plan offering includes performing using a data processing system:
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method includes:
performing using a data processing system:
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing a mobile communication plan offering includes a processor and a memory, coupled to the processor. The memory includes code stored therein and executable by the processor for:
In another embodiment of the present invention, a non-transitory, computer readable medium having code stored therein and executable by a processor for:
The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.
In at least one embodiment, a mobile communication plan offering system and method described herein determines one or more best fit mobile communication plan offers for mobile communication device (“MCD”) users. Subscribers can also be referred to as “mobile subscribers” or “subscribers”. The mobile communication plan offers typically consist of one or more modifications to a plan (also referred to as packs) or a complete plan including a base plan plus a pack and are based on a mobile usage pattern of a subscriber. In at least one embodiment, the only usage data used to determine one or more mobile communication plan offerings for a subscriber is the usage data of the subscriber. Thus, each mobile communication plan offering communicated to the subscriber is tailored to the subscriber and provides a best-fit for the subscriber.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offering system and method analyzes MCD usage behavior of a subscriber, processes the usage behavior and current spending of the subscriber, and determines a mobile communication plan offering that, if adopted, will result in a positive economic benefit to the subscriber compared with the subscriber's current plan. In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offering system and method communicates the mobile communication plan offering to the MCD of the subscriber at an opportune time in accordance with a particular event, such as when a number of SMS messages or subscriber trunk dialing (STD) calls exceed a predetermined threshold within a predetermined timeframe and/or when a current usage limit is about to be exceeded. In at least one embodiment, in addition to communicating the particular mobile communication plan offer(s), the mobile communication plan offering system and method also communicates the particular economic benefit to be conveyed to the subscriber upon adoption of the mobile communication plan offer.
The mobile communication plan offering system and method can be implemented and operated by a mobile communication plan provider, such as a mobile communication company, or offered as a service to the mobile communication plan provider.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offering method and system aims for a “right offer at the right time” with an objective economic analysis of the subscriber's mobile usage.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offering method and system can be extended into a generic solution involving the marketing of services that have the following characteristics:
In at least one embodiment, mobile communication plan offering method and system drives subscribers to adopt MCD mobile communication plan packs that are tailored to and, thus, beneficial for the particular subscriber by providing the subscriber with a positive economic benefit. With high relevance to the subscriber, in at least one embodiment, the adoption rate by the subscriber increases relative to a large segment mobile communication plan offering. Thus, mobile communication providers can, in at least one embodiment, increase revenue and/or retain more subscribers.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offering method and system determines and communicates the best offers based on, for example, positive economic benefit to the individual subscriber, from a complex choice of offers that maximizes the benefit to the subscriber. From the subscriber's perspective, this helps user in saving on mobile spend for his or her pattern of MCD usage. From a mobile communication plan provider's perspective, due to high relevance to the subscriber, the mobile communication plan provider can increase adoptions for their packs and increase fixed commitment revenue.
In at least one embodiment, a mobile communication plan offering method and system takes segmentation to a “single subscriber” resolution. By analyzing each individual subscriber's usage and mapping it to the available product lines, we are creating unique offers for each subscriber and communicating the exact benefits for the subscriber. The “subscriber” (also referred to herein as a “user”) is one who subscribes to a mobile communication plan. By communicating the offer at times when the user is likely to be more receptive, in at least one embodiment, a mobile communication plan offering method and system increases the likelihood of adoption—as compared to a communication made when the user is less engaged with his mobile communication device. In at least one embodiment, through a constant assessment, the mobile communication plan offering method and system can provide a direct relevance to the user's most recent usage behavior.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offering system and method provides a trust based engagement with the subscriber that will drive higher adoption of mobile communication plan offers. This results in a win-win between mobile communication plan providers and their subscribers—mobile communication plan providers benefit via improved adoptions and subscribers benefit both economically (by adopting the offers) and by way of reduced “spam” on their MCD.
The mobile communication plan recommendation system 106 analyzes the usage data in operation 206. In at least one embodiment, operation 206 analyzes both long term (30-90 days) and short term (2-7 days) usage of the subscriber. In at least one embodiment, operation 206 executes on a prescheduled basis such as once in a specified time period, such as two days. In at least one embodiment, the operation 206 executes upon request for mobile communication plan offering. Operation 208 identifies the most relevant mobile communication plan for the subscriber based on the analysis in operation 206 in, for example, terms of the maximum economic benefit the subscriber can derive by adopting a mobile communication plan offer. Operation 210 creates one or more mobile communication plan offers and accompanying explanatory messages that are tailored toward the subscriber associated with MCD 104. In at least one embodiment, operation 210 communicates the mobile communication plan offer to the subscriber during specific times that are likely to entail a higher adoption rate. The particular analysis of the usage data to identify the one or more most optimal mobile communication plans for the MCD user is a matter of design choice and will generally be performed using proprietary algorithms 110 of the mobile communication plan provider making the offer or for whom the offer is generated. In at least one embodiment, the available mobile communication plan offerings are updated with dynamic plan updates 112 on, for example, a regular basis such as every 48 hours. In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan recommendation system 106 works “dynamically”, such as every 48 hrs, to automatically analyze recent usage, understand best fit offerings for the MCD user. As subsequently described, in at least one embodiment, trigger events are used to trigger execution of operation 206.
In at least one embodiment, the only usage data used by the mobile communication plan recommendation system 106 to determine one or more mobile communication plan offerings for a subscriber is the usage data of the subscriber. Thus, each mobile communication plan offering communicated to the subscriber is tailored to the subscriber and provides a best-fit for the subscriber.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan recommendation system 106 communicates the exact nature of the benefits of the offer to the MCD 104 via a short code interface 108.
In at least one embodiment, operations 208 and 210 are performed on controlled bases. The controlled bases can be determined by programmed rules in mobile communication plan recommendation system 106. The rules can be based on proactive and reactive events. Proactive events are, for example, the passage of a predetermined amount of time, such as 2 weeks or 1 month. Reactive events are, for example, responsive to triggers as previously described. Thus, in at least one embodiment, in order to avoid annoying or saturating an MCD user, operation 210 is performed a limited number of times, such as 2 messages per month for proactive events, and 2 messages per week for reactive events. In at least one embodiment, operation 210 is performed upon receipt of a request by the MCD user for a mobile communication plan offer.
The mobile communication plan system 602 communicates mobile communication plan offerings (recommendations) to the MCD 610 in accordance with operation 210 (
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 determines the one or more offerings to communicate to the MCD 610 by accessing data in a database 612, such as a MySQL database. The data includes a subscriber file that contains information about the subscriber and the subscriber's mobile communication plan, a recharge file that includes information on the recharge of the subscriber's balance, and a call detail records (CDR) of the subscriber. In at least one embodiment, the data in database 612 is obtained using a data importer 614 via, the open domain server (ODS) 616 which in turn obtains the subscriber data, recharge data, and CDR data via database environment 618.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 also responds to requests for mobile communication plan offerings from an Internet connected system such as the computer system 620. In responding to a request, the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 performs mobile communication plan offering usage analysis method 200. The mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 can also proactively or reactively provide one or more mobile communication plan offerings for the subscriber associated with MCD 610 by communicating the one or more offerings to the subscriber via computer system 620. The mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 can also respond to a request for one or more mobile communication plan offerings from MCD 610 by communicating the one or more offerings to the subscriber via computer system 620.
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan system 602 is operated by a mobile communication plan provider. In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 is operated by an mobile communication plan offering entity that provides mobile communication plan offerings to the mobile communication plan provider data processing systems 608 who can either pass the offer to the MCD 610 or decline the offer.
As previously discussed, in at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 is operated by a separate entity than the mobile communication plan provider. In this configuration, the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603:
Integrates with mobile communication service provider's prepaid user database
Builds and hosts capability to analyze prepaid user base of mobile communication service provider
Creates customized offers for users and communicate the same on a periodic basis
Ensures mobile communication service provider prepaid plans and packs are kept up to date nationally
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan provider data processing systems 608 roles include:
a mobile communication plan offering and system to access prepaid usage database; and
Updating, a mobile communication plan offering and system with plan/pack changes/introductions etc.
Following is an exemplary embodiment and example of mobile communication plan offering usage analysis method 200:
In at least one embodiment, operation 202 obtains mobile communication device usage data through an interface with ODS server 218. The data is in an Excel file. The Excel file includes four types of data:
The mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 analyzes the subscriber usage data by processing the data based on, for example, raw call records obtained from the databases 620. In at least one embodiment, operation 206 takes the following steps are taken in at least one embodiment:
In at least one embodiment, mobile communication plans are created as follows:
In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication plan provider should allow flexibility to input both types of plans and packs into the mobile communication plan offering system 600. The mobile communication plan provider should allow ranges to be input for each plan/pack. There will be lower & upper limits to each pack for:
For such plans, the prepaid recommendation engine should suggest the exact amount to recharge to optimize mobile spend. For other mobile communication plan providers with simpler recharge options, the upper and lower limits of each plan can be the same. An example is given in Table 3 below.
The particular implementation of operation 208 is a matter of design choice. Following is an exemplary implementation of operation 208 and a proprietary algorithm 110 for a prepaid mobile communication plan offer:
1.1. Stage I: Account Details Unavailable:
1.2. Stage II: Account Information Available:
The mobile communication plan offerings from Table 4 are communicated in an exemplary embodiment of operation 210 as follows:
Scenario I: Low Balance and Low Validity
In this scenario, a subscriber will be interested in increasing both validity as well as balance. While recharging the subscriber will also be looking at packs that help reduce call charges or provide value added services.
In this case the subscriber should be sent SMS's related to all the three purchase options.
Scenario II: Low Balance and High Validity
The subscriber will primarily be interested in getting additional talk-time and other packs that help reduce call charges or provide VAS.
In this case the subscriber should be sent SMS's related to talk-time top-ups and other packs.
Scenario III: High Balance and Low Validity
The subscriber will be looking at increasing the account validity.
In this case the subscriber should be sent SMS's related to validity top-ups and other packs.
Scenario IV: High Balance and High Validity
In this case the subscriber should be sent SMS's related to other packs only.
In at least one embodiment, in addition to validity and account balance, the current pack subscriptions of the subscriber should be tracked. If a pack is about to expire, then an SMS reminding the subscriber to recharge that pack should be sent. In all the above cases, the SMS's sent should be customized based on the subscriber's usage pattern. In each of the SMS's specify the estimated savings for the user if he/she purchases the plan/pack. Example SMS: “Based on your usage analysis, you can save $100 annually by subscribing to SMS 50 pack. Dial 131 to subscribe now!”
Embodiments of the mobile communication plan offer generation system 603 and ODS server 616 can be respectively implemented on a computer system such as a general-purpose computer 800 illustrated in
I/O device(s) 819 may provide connections to peripheral devices, such as a printer, and may also provide a direct connection to a remote server computer system via a telephone link or to the Internet via an ISP. I/O device(s) 819 may also include a network interface device to provide a direct connection to a remote server computer system via a direct network link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence). Such connection may be made using, for example, wireless techniques, including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection or the like. Examples of I/O devices include modems, sound and video devices, and specialized communication devices such as the aforementioned network interface.
Computer programs and data are generally stored as instructions and data in a non-transitory, tangible mass storage 809 until loaded into main memory 815 for execution. Computer programs may also be in the form of electronic signals modulated in accordance with the computer program and data communication technology when transferred via a network.
The processor 813, in one embodiment, is a microprocessor manufactured by Motorola Inc. of Illinois, Intel Corporation of California (such as a Basic Server Quad core 2CPU (Intel Xeon X5550)/16 GB random access memory/1.2 TB hard drive), or Advanced Micro Devices of California. However, any other suitable single or multiple microprocessors or microcomputers may be utilized. Main memory 815 is comprised of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Video memory 814 is a dual-ported video random access memory. One port of the video memory 814 is coupled to video amplifier 816. The video amplifier 816 is used to drive the display 817. Video amplifier 816 is well known in the art and may be implemented by any suitable means. This circuitry converts pixel DATA stored in video memory 814 to a raster signal suitable for use by display 817. Display 817 is a type of monitor suitable for displaying graphic images.
The computer system described above is for purposes of example only. The mobile communication plan offering usage analysis method 200 can be implemented as code, stored in a non-transitory, computer readable medium, and executed by the server 604. Exemplary computer readable mediums are compact disks, digital versatile disks, flash memories, hard drives, and any other type of non-transitory computer readable medium.
The mobile communication plan provider data processing systems 608 can be implemented in accordance with well known mobile communication plan provider data processing systems such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, AirTel, and Vodafone.
Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) and 37 C.F.R. §1.78 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61301107, filed Feb. 3, 2010, and entitled “Mobile Communication Plan Offerings,” and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61301107 | Feb 2010 | US |