The mechanism for payment by phone Mobile (mobile payment) came into service, early July 2010. This service was developed by TunisieTélécom and Société Monétique Tunisie under the auspices of the Tunisia Central Bank BCT and along with other banks. It is being put into service involving some traders as a test for two weeks in preparation for its expansion to more traders and banks. Especially, its effectiveness will depend on the involvement of the largest number of customers, and banks.
The news of the official start of experimental launch of m-payment was announced by Khaled Fradi, Director General of Société Monétique Tunisie who answered our questions. Interview:
How things stand in the field of electronic payment in Tunisia?
We are recording tangible growth one day to another. This growth is estimated in 2009 at 32% and at 52% as far as the number of transactions is concerned and at 57% for the turnover, compared to 2008.”
What does mobile payment stand for?
This new service was launched thanks to cooperation between Société Monétique Tunisie and Tunisie Telecom. And as you know, we have just announced the experimental launch of m-payment following inking agreements with three major banks in the market and three merchants pending its prevalence in the near future.
It is a very simple application: the user feeds his mobile phone out of a balance and reaches a top-up point whatsoever bank, post, kiosk, and makes his deal through dialing a simple code. It is as simple as sending an SMS.
This service enables subscribers to telephone operator ( credit card holders), who enrolled in service in advance, to buy goods and services in affiliated businesses through dialing USSD command of the service and following the instructions mentioned in the form of the site related to the operation www.mobilepayment.com.tn.
What benefits provided by m-payment?
The m-payment was designed for a top security for both the customer and the beneficiary. In fact, it secures data confidentiality, an authentication of the data source and its reliability.
For merchants it’s very practical and convenient, being a safe payment mode for prompt payment. As far as rapidity is concerned, streamlined process makes the mobile payment faster than cash payment, and it is also an efficient means for monitoring staff practices and behavior internally.
Did you set up a relevant infrastructure?
Prior to launching m-payment, we have prepared an adequate infrastructure for the success of this new mode of payment. And you can now pay a taxi via the m-payment. Actually, we have established the regulatory and organizational framework governing this new service, because it will create thousands of jobs and because technical interfaces link mobile operators and banking sector.
Besides, we will sign partnership agreements with Tunisiana and Orange Tunisie which are due to be announced shortly for the generalization of this service.
