Tag: vodafone

ICICI Bank teams with Vodafone to bring mobile commerce to India

| November 22, 2012

 

ICICI Bank partners with Vodafone to introduce m-pesa

India’s ICICI Bamobile commerce partnershipnk, one of the largest financial institutions in the country, is gearing up to launch a new mobile commerce service for consumers. The bank has teamed with Vodafone, a British multinational telecommunications company, in order to develop the platform and its associated application, called “m-pesa.” The mobile commerce initiation will be managed by Mobile Commerce Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vodafone, which will provide services to India’s growing mobile consumer population.

Indian consumers demand mobile commerce solutions

Mobile technology is becoming more common throughout India. As the country economy becomes more robust, consumers are finding it easier to purchase smart phones and other such devices. As these devices become more common, consumers are beginning to show more interest in mobile commerce and other services. ICICI Bank has taken note of this growing interest and is now moving to ensure that it can serve these consumers in an adequate fashion.

Application allows for mobile payments

The m-pesa application will allow ICICI Bank customers to use their accounts to purchase goods from retailers. The launch of the mobile commerce solution will be limited to the eastern region of India initially. This region includes Kolkata, West Begal, Bihar, and Jharkhand. ICICI Bank and Vodafone will keep a keen eye on the performance of the solution during this limited launch. Currently, the two parties foresee a phased launch, where the mobile commerce platform will be introduced to the rest of India in numerous stages.

Vodafone offers innovative security

ICICI Bank chose to team with Vodafone because of the company’s broad distribution reach and its innovative security protocols. Security is one of the most important aspects of mobile commerce and an issue that has been attracting a great deal of attention in recent months. Lackluster security from some mobile commerce platforms have left consumers with concerns regarding NFC technology and the safety of their financial information. Vodafone may be able to quell these concerns with its security features and help Indian consumers warm to the concept of mobile commerce.

Commerce Commission of New Zealand mobilizes to keep track of mobile pricing

| November 5, 2012

 

The Commerce Commission keeps tabs on pricing in wake of Vodafone deal

The Commerce Commission, an ageNew Zealand Mobile Pricingncy of the New Zealand government, has mobilized to keep tabs on pricing for calls between fixed line platforms and mobile phones. The move comes in the wake of a deal between Vodafone New Zealand and TelstraClear, in which Vodafone acquired the latter party. The Commerce Commission is poised to keep an eye on the pricing schemes coming from Vodafone, as well as other telecommunications companies operating in the country. The agency has already imposed lower prices on calls in several mobile networks.

Regulator preparing to keep track of mobile commerce

Though the regulator is poised to take action if it detects some form of foul-play in terms of call pricing, the Commerce Commission is also keeping an eye on the growth of mobile commerce within the country. Mobile devices are becoming more common with consumers. As such, more people are being exposed to the concept of mobile commerce, whereby their mobile device is used to make payments for goods and services.

Youth of mobile commerce industry holds potential for malicious activity

Typically, mobile commerce platforms do not make money off of the applications they provide to consumers. Instead, companies charge a fee for each transaction processed through t he platform. Because mobile commerce is still a relatively young industry, there is potential for some companies to exploit consumers. It is this potential for malicious activity that has the Commerce Commission on its toes and ready to crack down on foul-play it may see.

Vodafone may be gearing up to push mobile commerce in New Zealand

Vodafone New Zealand is one of the largest mobile network operators in the country and is part of the larger Vodafone network. Vodafone has shown interest in mobile commerce in countries like Spain, but seems to have limited this interest to the European market. With TelstraClear now a part of the Vodafone network, the company may be gearing up for a push to bring mobile commerce to New Zealand, but such plans have not yet been set in stone.