Frequently Asked Questions

Abbreviations used :

• * OSSN™ – One Smart Star™ Number (Asterisk <*> followed by 4 digits)
• * OSS™ service – One Smart Star™ service providing OSSN™
• * OSS™ Company – One Smart Star™ worldwide company, holding the IP and providing support to all national OSS™ companies.
• * National OSS™ – OSS™ company providing service in certain country

Q1. Who are the potential customers for OSSN?

A. The OSSN service is aimed at business customers or government entities that have an extensive and frequent dialog with their customers.

B. Businesses that promote their products/services through various media channels, seeking for new customers or would like to encourage consumers to call them more frequently.

C. Examples of businesses: Banks; Investment houses; Insurance companies; Healthcare – medical centers and clinics; Hotels; Airlines; Travel agencies; Car rentals; Car leasing; Car dealers; Taxi companies; Bus services; Railway; Department stores; Retail chains; Deliveries; Restaurants; Ticket reservation; Service providers; Media – Newspapers, Magazines, Cable & Satellite TV; Construction companies.

D. Government: Social security; Employment service; Road maintenance; Licensing Office; Municipalities.

E. Advertising campaigns and time limited services (sale of apartments or houses in a project).

Q2. Are OSSNs to be sold to individuals?

A. No. OSSNs are limited to business and government entities.

Q3. What are the technical limitations/problems of OSSN implementation?

A. There are no technical problems. Each OSSN is identified with an existing common phone number. The operation is based on the Routing tables located in the Switching system (or SMS Center). The routing tables are updated (usually through Network Operation Center) upon activation of a OSSN.

B. The OSSN system is fully operating for over 6 years and functions perfectly. The debugging has been finished in the early stages of system deployment.

C. The system provides all of the following services: voice, fax, SMS, website, email and post.

Q4. Is the OSSN service patented?

A. Yes the OSS technologies and User Interface are covered by a Patent (Granted in 15 countries and pending in others) all over the world by PCT and also by the EPO.

B. The Patents are owned by OSS Company and are licensed to the national OSS.

Q5. What is the experience with OSSN in other countries?

A. OSSN introduction has been very fast and its acceptance immediate. Initially the companies advertised their OSSNs alongside their normal phone numbers. However, they switched to the exclusive use of their OSSN after a short time, being convinced of its acceptance by the customers.

B. Consumers have accepted the new concept of OSSN and are calling-in more. Statistics have shown an increase of greater than 20% in traffic to the OSSN numbers within a 3 month period. A Continuous quarterly increase in traffic of more than 15% has been observed in several consecutive quarters.

C. The operators are very pleased with the service as it generates more revenues for them, without any investment on their side.

Q6. Can the OSSN service be a toll free number?

A. Yes, the OSSN can be routed to a toll free number if the company has a suitable agreement with the Toll free number operator.

Q7. Is there an additional cost to the consumer by using OSSN?

A. No. The consumer will pay the same as dialing directly to the regular number.