Rocket Internet receives sizeable investment from the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company
Rocket Internet, an e-commerce incubator based in Germany, has announced that it has received an investment from the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. The investment means that the telecommunications company has taken a 10% stake in Rocket Internet. Through this deal, both companies will be able to tap into the other’s expertise, especially when it comes to mobile payments and e-commerce.
Companies will work together to develop new technologies and mobile-centric services, focusing on mobile payments
Together, the two companies shave plans to develop new mobile and online payment technologies. These technologies are meant to be put to use in emerging markets, where mobile commerce is beginning to show promising activity. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company has expertise in the mobile payments space and will be making use of technology from Rocket Internet to empower its position in the mobile commerce market.
Mobile commerce is growing quickly in emerging markets where smartphone and tablet penetration is on the rise
Mobile payments are becoming more important to consumers throughout the world. This has to do with the high penetration of mobile technology. More people are beginning to rely on smartphones and tablets in their daily lives and, as such, are beginning to demand access to comprehensive services that are mobile-centric in nature. Companies are beginning to understand this demand and take steps to accommodate the needs of consumers in many parts of the world.
Many of those in emerging markets do not have access to a bank account, but that may change as mobile commerce services become more available
Mobile commerce is becoming particularly popular among those without bank accounts. Many mobile platforms are able to digitize a person’s finances without having to be linked to a bank account. According to the World Bank, many of the world’s emerging markets are filled with people that do not have a bank account of any kind. Better mobile services may change this in the future, as people may see the value of the security that banks offer when it comes to their financial information.
Rushing headlong into the digital age has consequences. The world is becoming more integrated and reliant on technology of all kinds. One of the clearest trends that is proving this is people’s growing dependence on mobile technology. Many people use their mobile devices on a daily basis and these devices often contain most of their precious personal information. Mobile technology is exciting for most people, and this excitement is blinding them to threats that exist in a world that is becoming digitized.
The digital era has brought people together in a way that was never before thought possible. Accessing the Internet, a person in the United States can form a intimate connection with another person living in Japan. Businesses are interacting with consumers in new ways because of social media and constant connection. While technology has helped bring people together, the digital world, much like the physical one, is not a safe place.
In the digital world, malicious groups are often on the lookout for ways to exploit people’s information. Identity theft is, perhaps, one of the most prolific crimes in the digital space and it is proving to be a difficult problem to protect oneself from. The digital world is filled with malware and viruses that are designed for malicious purpose and these weapons are evolving faster than the protective methods designed to mitigate their impact can adapt.
Large businesses that are beginning to focus more heavily on the digital space are beginning to fall victim to cyber attacks that are leading to billions of dollars in losses. Data breach is becoming more common and a growing number of people are beginning to see that their personal information is being compromised due to lackluster security. In the digital world, you cannot rely on a company to keep your information safe and have to take matters into your own hands.
In a world that is becoming more digital, absolute security is an impossible dream. Taking steps to protect yourself is not futile, however. More often than not, the lack of protection can make you a target for malicious groups that want to exploit whatever resources you might have. Even simply installing an anti-virus application on your mobile device can serve as an effective deterrent from an attack.
