Ericsson announced it has signed a contract with AT&T for a new hosting agreement that will provide real-time charging services for GoPhone, AT&T's well-known wireless pre-paid service, in the US and Puerto Rico.

The GoPhone service has been hosted for the past years on Ericsson's convergent real-time charging system and, under the contract, it will be hosted for at least another three and a half years. GoPhone is currently a leading alternative payment service in the US and its popularity continues to grow among consumers that use AT&T's network. The service offers two options: a classic card-based pay as you go service, and Pick Your Plan, also a pre-paid alternative that has in plus features like the conventional post-paid calling plans have.

Judy Cavalieri, Vice President, Marketing, for AT&T Mobility, said: "The rapid growth of our GoPhone service offering over the past four years has exceeded our expectations. Our new, multi-year contract with Ericsson provides AT&T with a hosted pre-paid solution that ensures that we have a scalable, proven, feature-rich charging platform that meets the needs of our end users."

Following the new contract, Ericsson will host, integrate and manage the every-day operations of AT&T's pre-paid service. "We are delighted to continue working with AT&T to meet the growing need for pre-paid services", said Angel Ruiz, President of Ericsson in North America. "Ericsson has had a long, successful relationship with AT&T, and it is immensely satisfying to know that we have helped them grow this line of business and that they are pleased with our hosted pre-paid solution."

The new contract that Ericsson and AT&T signed underlines industry's current orientation towards offering consumers multimedia services in a quick and cost-effectively manner, via a firm partnership between service and vendors.