Airtel launches range of m-com solutions; partners leading banks

New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) Leading telecom service provider Bharti Airtel Ltd today launched a range of m-commerce solutions such as Mobile Money Transfer (MMT), postpaid bill payment and prepaid recharge on the mobile phone.

In partnership with ICICI bank, HDFC bank, SBI, Corporation Bank and VISA, Airtel has launched a host of m-commerce solutions, a company statement said.

The solution has been developed by mChek, a leading provider of mobile security and payment solutions.

This is the first time in the country that mobile money transfer will be available.

The benefit will be felt by millions of Airtel customers, who can get started by simply sending a text message 'Airtel' to 543219.

The solution is totally secure and has been certified by PCIDSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards), a stringent globally accepted security standard, the statement added.

Airtel has extensively piloted these products across the country. It already has 67,000 registered customers for postpaid bill payments with over a hundred thousand transactions running into several crores.

In addition, over 17,000 movie tickets have been bought using this service.

''This first of its kind innovation in India will allow millions of our customers to send money any time, from anywhere to anyone. We see tremendous growth potential for these and many more m-commerce solutions on the mobile phone in the next few years,'' said Airtel Director (Marketing and Communications) Gopal Vittal.

We see the mobile becoming the convergence instrument, which allows all banking transactions to be done with complete security and that too on the move. This initiative will help usher in a new era of mobile based payments, more particularly Person-to-Person Fund Transfers, added HDFC Bank Group Head (Retail Liabilities, Marketing and Direct Banking Channels) Rahul Bhagat.

All Airtel mobile customers with credit/debit cards with ICICI bank, HDFC Bank, SBI, Corporation bank and VISA, can now pay their postpaid bills instantly.

Mobile Money transfer, a service to be launched on March 15, will also empower an Airtel user to transfer money to their family or friends by a click of a button.

To avail the applications, all Airtel mobile customers with compatible handsets need to download the application, the procedure of which includes verification of the card details of the applicant.

UNI PDT BJR HS2043