March 21, 2006

By: Shawnee McRoberts
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Wireless Replenishment in More Than 36,000 Retail Outlets Nationwide

TracFone Wireless, one of the nation's largest providers of prepaid wireless communication, today announced an agreement with Western Union Financial Services Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC). The agreement allows TracFone customers to replenish their prepaid wireless phone airtime at more than 36,000 Western Union Agent locations, including grocery and convenience stores, throughout the United States, using the Western Union ® SwiftPay® service. With the addition of the Western Union Agent network, TracFone Wireless now offers airtime replenishment for its prepaid wireless service in more than 60,000 retail outlets nationwide.

"By teaming with Western Union , we're extending the availability of our prepaid wireless service to thousands of new venues nationwide," said Steve Ritter, executive vice president of sales and marketing, TracFone Wireless. "TracFone Wireless is committed to finding convenient and familiar ways for our customers to replenish their TracFone minutes. Western Union 's unparalleled network of agent locations allows us to do just that."

"The Western Union SwiftPay service is a payment solution that facilitates consumer pre-payment for any services or products where pre-payment is a requirement or an option," says Joe Jackson, president, Western Union Commercial Services. "The SwiftPay service allows companies like TracFone to leverage the strength of the Western Union name and our exceptional distribution network to provide value and convenience to their customers."

Also See: prepaid cell phones.

Author Notes:

Shawnee McRoberts contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  An industry resource for the wireless industry featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of phones and service plans.