MTS and Google launch a new mobile commerce solution to accommodate consumer demand
MTS, a telecommunications company operating in Russia, has announced that it has formed a partnership with Google to promote mobile commerce. Demand for mobile commerce services has been on the rise among consumers in Russia, as they have begun to rely more heavily on their smartphones to shop for products online. Through the partnership, MTS and Google will launch a mobile application that will serve as a mobile payments solution.
New application may become very popular among those playing mobile games
With the new application, MTS customers will be able to make purchases online with their mobile devices using their MTS account instead of a bank account. Transactions will be authorized using a mobile number. Many consumers are expected to have access to discounts through Google Play, where the application will be made available. These discounts may benefit the millions of consumers that are interested in mobile games, as they will be able to purchase in-game items and full games on their mobile devices.
Russian consumers are becoming more mobile-centric
Russian consumers see mobile commerce as more convenient than traditional forms of commerce. Due to growing smartphone penetration, consumers are becoming more mobile-centric, relying on their devices when conducting their daily lives. Banks have taken note of the rise in mobile consumers, and these organizations have begun looking for ways to engage mobile shoppers more effectively. The growing interest that consumers have in mobile commerce has also lead telecommunications companies, like MTS, to provide better services to consumers.
Mobile commerce is experiencing modest growth in Russia
Mobile commerce is growing quickly in Russia, but the country still lags behind others when it comes to supporting mobile shopping. In the coming years, mobile commerce is expected to play a larger role in Russia’s retail sector, especially as more consumers begin making use of smartphones and tablets. Google may accelerate the adoption of mobile commerce in Russia through its partnership with MTS, ensuring that consumers have access to the services that they are interested in.
Relatively few consumers are using their mobile devices to purchase products online and in physical stores
Mobile payments has become a powerful force in the retail sector, but many consumers remain loyal to conventional forms of commerce. During the holiday season, many retailers saw a significant increase in the number of mobile shoppers they served, but number of mobile consumers was lower than what many companies had been anticipating this year. According to data from Bankrate, only 14% of smartphone owners in the United States actually used their device to make a mobile payment during the Thanksgiving shopping weekend.
28% of smartphone owners made a mobile payment during 2015
Information from the Federal Reserve also highlights the relatively sluggish activity being seen in the mobile payments space this year. According to the agency, only 28% of smartphone users made a mobile payment throughout 2015. Mobile payments were particularly popular among millennials, who have become quite comfortable with mobile technology in general. Older consumers have been slow to embrace mobile payments, largely due to security concerns and basic disinterest.
Security continues to be a major problem for the mobile payments space
Security has been a cause for concern within the mobile payments space for years. Many consumers have expressed worry that their financial information could be at risk if they make a mobile payment. Retailers and companies responsible for mobile payment platforms have been working to ensure consumer information is kept safe, but sophisticated cyber attacks has made this a relatively difficult endeavor to accomplish. In order for mobile payments to thrive, security measures must be improved, ensuring that the financial data of consumers is guarded against exploitation.
More consumers are expected to make a mobile transaction as new services become available
While the mobile payments sector may have seen relatively slow growth during this year’s holiday season, stakeholders in the growing market expect to see more robust growth in 2016. Next year, promising new mobile payments platforms are expected to enter into new markets, where they will find a consumer base that is willing and eager to use their mobile devices to make purchases.