MVNO SECOMunica eyes mid-year market launch

Would-be Uruguayan mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) SECOMunica is planning to launch in the second or third quarter this year, reports BNamericas, quoting Rafael Garcia, marketing manager for Pranasys, SECOMunica’s parent company. SECOMunica was created as a spinoff of Pranasys, which specialises in pre-paid recharging and ‘m-commerce’ technology, and formed an alliance with SECOM, a company that provides care and companionship services for the elderly. SECOMunica plans to offer an exclusively pre-paid mobile telephony service targeting senior citizens with top-ups available electronically. The business proposal is to offer basic phones and value added services such as alerts and reminders, targeted messaging with information on stores and entertainment events where they can receive discounts, as well as customer care and emergency hotlines. The MVNO has struck a deal to buy wholesale minutes from state mobile operator Ancel.