This autumn was quite intense in the SMS services market: large-scale financial problems, delayed payouts, old companies closing and new companies urgent openings. In light of the financial crisis, such events might seem insignificant but one cannot deny the impact on global RUnet business sphere. The leaders of this market, and their partners made their conclusions, even though they might differ completely.

Following the business trip to Russia, where discussions were held with a majority of leaders in SMS-services market, and significant partners of our company, SmsCoin management realized that mobile services market in general and SMS-payments in particular will undergo additional cataclysms and the only companies to survive it are these with accurate policies and operating in cooperation with the market as oppose to working against it and its participants. We are happy to say that vast majority of our colleges agree with us on this standpoint, taking measures to stabilize the situation. Perhaps not measures taken are acceptable due to dishonest actions of certain companies. Sudden changes in dollar exchange rate and too frequent “temporary” problems are raising doubts among others. Other measures are more or less honest but less popular such as partners' payouts decrease or payout period prolongation. There is always the fear of losing partners to competitor with much more attractive terms. However, recent example has proved that attractive terms doesn't always mean stable foundations.

We are confident in our abilities and has proved not once that we are operating on accurate policy and fair competition, earning the respect of our partners and competitors alike. We took a decision to be the first ones to announce the measure which will help us and the market as well to overcome difficult period ahead. The worst affect on the market is caused by enormous payouts and much shorter payout period. Enormous payouts are as a result of dumping politics, and shorter payout period has to do with partners' distrust in partnership programs, or in some cases, with illegal actions of the partners themselves who wish to receive the amounts earned dishonestly as soon as possible.

We announce the changes in partners' work conditions starting December 1st 2008:
1) Payouts made across Russia will be reduced by 5 percent for each and every new partner, who have registered later than 1.12.2008. Our long-time partners will continue working based on previous rates, given by us half a year ago within the framework of the commitment, when we exchanged the rates to rubles within Russia. Even though, we are open to discuss requests for individual terms;
2) The possibility to demand payout in the middle of the reported month is canceled. Nonetheless, we assure you that partners requests for early payment will be carefully considered, especially if it will be effectively used for project development. Precisely this idea was the basis for launching the payout system according to demand in June, but unfortunately, the current situation and this feature was often misused forced us to reconsider its necessity.
3) Terms of services presented to users are much more strict. We have always been strictly loyal to end-users upon which depends the entire market. Till December 1st we will publish a set of rules for those partners who who do not use our standard instructions. Violation of these rules may lead to a fine or to blocked account.

We assume that soon enough more companies on the market will follow us and announce the changes they have done, supporting us or contradicting our endeavors. We hope and believe that our partners will understand us. Those who often communicate with us, know that we do not give empty projections, and everything we do is aimed primarily for the benefit of our partners.

We would like to recommend our partners and everyone else in this market adopting similar measures. If you are an owner of partnership program, make sure that you are able to guarantee the payments. Make sure your project is profitable – it is possible your financial turnover is high, but you earn nothing. Company's staff is ready to answer any question you might have and to help you, even if you're not a partner of ours.