A Pinky?? From Dallas?? Whats the world comin' too....
Needless to say...NO POSITION...lol...
News for 'ICMH' - (ICM Telecommunications Reports Increased Revenues in Recent Months)
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Oct 14, 2003 (PRIMEZONE via COMTEX) -- ICM
Telecommunications, Inc. (Other OTC:ICMH), a rapidly growing provider of prepaid
pin-based products through its Point of Sales Activation (POSA) terminals, today
reported that in the months of August and September it experienced increased
revenues from its terminals now in operation in Oregon and Washington.
"During August, revenue per machine reached an average $139 per month, and rose
28% in September, to $178 per machine," said ICM Telecommunications CEO Doug
Hamby. "Our projected revenues per terminal for the month of October, based on
results to date, is expected to climb to $200 per terminal, up an additional
12%, and $61 per month more when compared to August results.
"Meanwhile," Hamby said, "we continue to lease additional terminals to permit us
to expand our operations into Arizona, Northern and Southern California, as well
as to college bookstores."
Hamby also reported that demand for the company's Samsung 850 flip top cellular
telephones, which come ready to use and with prepaid time, continues very
strong. He also revealed that the company is obtaining these cell phones from
Omni Prepaid, a large Atlanta-based Mobile Virtual Network Operations (MVNO)
company, and that the phones operate on the vast nationwide Verizon wireless
network.
"To fuel this growth, we are continuing discussions with several funding
sources," Hamby continued. "Over the near term, to execute our marketing
expansion plans, hire additional personnel, and upgrade our stock listing, we
are seeking additional funds that will net the company approximately $1 million
in new working capital."
The CEO said ICM's opportunities continue to be virtually limitless since it
competes in one of the telecommunications industry's most rapidly growing
segments. He noted that the fastest growing part of the POSA terminal market is
for prepaid cellular telephone services.
A recent industry study predicts that the prepaid cellular market will grow to
as much as $4.4 billion this year, up more than 33% from the $3.3 billion in
prepaid cellular revenues recorded last year, and industry analysts see this
telecom industry segment approaching the $10 billion threshold by 2007. The
prepaid long distance calling card market is also growing rapidly. The combined
growth of both suggests to industry observers these two markets will help
contribute to an overall explosive growth path for the POSA terminal market for
prepaid products, climbing to as high as $16 billion by the end of 2004.
Beyond prepaid cellular and long distance phone cards, Hamby said the company
currently is working with national partners to offer business solutions that
focus on delivering multiple prepaid communications services to numerous market
segments, all from a single source.
"At the heart of these services, of course, is our Electronic Payment &
Inventory System (EPIS). The suite of services offered by the proprietary EPIS
hardware and software package enables the retailer to process all these
services, as well as merchant services such as Visa and MasterCard transactions,
all on the same terminal. As an ISO for merchant services products, ICM can
therefore offer a complete package of services to the retailer."
The company sells its products through high traffic retailers such as
convenience stores, drugstores and video rental shops. Their returning customers
are the most typical potential users of ICM's products and services in the
general consumer field. Going forward, Hamby said, the company also anticipates
marketing directly to travel centers and truck stops nationwide. "We also
anticipate the development of a dealer network of independent sales
professionals to market ICM products and services on a regional basis, selling
to the same kinds of customers the company has established in its program
rollout."
The CEO noted that ICM is concurrently pursuing marketing agreements with other
organizations to further its identity in the private label loyalty card market.
It plans to include these partners marketing its products along with their own
lines. These master distributors will carry non-competing products complementary
to ICM's product line and give their customers new sources of revenue.
"Our industry is expected to continue to experience solid growth over the next
five years," Hamby said, "with the current $3.7 billion market expected to
expand by another 73%. In fact, some 74% of retail service providers are
expected to add POSA features to their stores by 2005."
In closing, Hamby noted that Jack Hoyt, a former company officer, recently left
ICM to pursue other interests. "Jack made important contributions to our
start-up efforts, and we wish him all the best in his new endeavors," said
Hamby.
Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, may be
considered "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations
and the current economic environment. We caution the reader that such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Unknown
risk, uncertainties as well as other uncontrollable or unknown factors could
cause actual results to materially differ from the results, performance, or
expectations expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: ICM Telecommunications Inc.
By Staff
CONTACT: ICM Telecommunications, Inc.
Doug Hamby
(503) 534-3663
AI
