WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American PrePaid Phonecall Association, APPPA, announced that it is now accepting applications for new members. The APPPA Board of Directors made the decision to open the membership to new applicants at the August 6, 2012 meeting in Las Vegas. Since its formation in January, the membership has been limited to 10 Founding Members who agreed to fund the formation of APPPA for the initial phase.
"We carefully studied the alternatives to opening membership beyond the Founding Members," said Gene Retske, Executive Director of APPPA. "We are in no way lowering our high standards for membership, but we are now ready to open membership in APPPA to other companies who want to provide leadership for the industry. We welcome any prepaid phonecall providers who meet the requirements for membership and are committed to bettering the industry for the benefit of consumers."
Retske said that all new applicants would be reviewed by the Membership Committee before submitting them to the Board for final approval. APPPA offers a mentoring program for companies who do not currently meet its standards, but are willing to make the necessary improvements to join.
"There are numerous benefits for a prepaid phonecall provider who joins APPPA," said Retske. "APPPA is working with the industry, regulators and consumer groups to develop industry standards that will ensure consumers get high value services." Retske added that the Board decided to open membership, with full voting rights, to new members who meet the eligibility requirements and want to participate in the development of industry standards, network with industry leaders and work with the Association on its programs for the industry and its consumers.
APPPA will waive the normal inception fee for new applicants for a limited period of time. For details on APPPA membership, contact Gene Retske, Executive Director, email Director@apppa.us.
About APPPA
The group of industry leaders represents the majority of the prepaid calling market in the U.S. and created an association to protect the industry's interests, good name and public trust by providing best practices, and to speak with one voice for the industry and its consumers. Prepaid phone call providers who want more information about joining APPPA should contact Gene Retske, Executive Director, at (202) 370-7600 or by email, execdir@apppa.us
The American PrePaid Phonecall Association logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12043