CREDIT PROVISION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract A system and method for providing credit to a subscriber, including a plurality of networks, each of said networks supporting a plurality of subscribers; a central settlement facility coupled to each network within the plurality of networks, said central settlement facility maintaining a plurality of subscriber accounts and wherein the central settlement facility is adapted, on receipt of a request for credit from a subscriber, to convert the request for credit to an intermediate value; obtain credit from a credit provider with said intermediate value; credit an account held by the subscriber on the settlement facility with an amount equivalent to the request for credit; and advise the subscriber of the approval of the request for credit is disclosed. The system is further configured for the provision of airtime to a subscriber. 108 11105 107 1 Retailer Roamer Retailer Net B - Net A Net A 106 ReB S- '''Subscriber Subscriber Net A Net B |1 P2P AIRTIME TRA NSFER 12 Subscriber Subscriber Net B* Net A 104 NET B NETA 103 Fig I