Method for electronically vending, distributing, and recharging of pre-paid value, a vending machine and an electronic system for use therein

摘要

The invention provides for a method, a network device and a network for electronically vending pre-paid values such as cellular air time, the method including the steps of offering pre-paid values for sale to a purchaser on an electronic network, the network enabling communication electronically between the purchaser, an independent financial institution and computerised managing means for managing the sale of pre-paid values; requesting a specific pre-paid value from the managing means; making payment; transmitting payment data to the managing means so as to credit the beneficiary account; and providing the purchaser with reference detail about the pre-paid value purchased.