Namibian cellular network operator Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has partnered with South African mobile commerce giant Cointel for the provisioning of mobile commerce applications in Namibia through Cointel`s Simplus technology.
With this service, MTC customers will be able to initiate on-line financial transactions from their bank account, using their mobile phone.
The first set of transactions, being Electronic Recharge and post-paid account payments, will enable MTC customers to recharge their own, or anyone else`s, pre-paid mobile phone using the Internet, USSD or a free call from their mobile phone.
Customers will also be able to pay their post-paid MTC account using these channels, thus providing a convenient method of payment - anywhere and at anytime.
As part of MTC`s commitment to broad based empowerment, MTC and Cointel will also develop and launch a distributed airtime solution that will enable the sale of airtime directly from a mobile phone to an MTC customer. This will be distributed through MTC mobile homes as well as small and medium enterprises in the market. The solution allows an MTC franchisee or dealer to effect a recharge directly from their mobile phone to an MTC customer`s mobile phone. MTC has structured a financial model that will cater for a sales margin for these resellers, allowing them the ability to earn revenue out of the sale of electronic airtime.
The next set of solutions offered by MTC through Cointel`s Simplus technology will enable mobile banking and commerce applications to business and consumers, making the MTC mobile phone an integral part of day to day transacting.
These solutions include: Corporate payment and commerce applications, Person to Person Payments using an MTC Mobile Phone, Mobile banking (balance enquiries, transfers, mini statements, and transaction notifications), and mobile acquiring solutions that enable an MTC mobile phone with credit card accepting point of sale functionality. These transactions effectively extend the payments franchise to the MTC mobile phone to meet consumer and business needs.
"The primary reason for MTC to move into the m-commerce arena is the convenient and cost effective distribution of Pre-paid airtime and Post Paid bill payments," says Bengt Strenge, managing director, MTC.
"MTC puts a high premium on customer convenience and the technology provided by Cointel fits exactly into our strategy. That is to have an experienced m-commerce partner with years of experience in the switching of mobile originating commerce transactions and who has been certified by Visa and Master Card International."
Says Gavin Krugel, Chief eBusiness Officer, Cointel: "MTC has taken a big step in mobilising the payments franchise. In partnership with the banks and using the Simplus Technologies, MTC will become one of the global forerunners in enabling its customer base with mobile commerce capabilities. We at Cointel look forward to a long and exciting venture with MTC."
MTC customers can look forward to being able to transact on their MTC mobile phone as early as mid-October this year.
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