Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Mobile Money - A Solution Ready Today

Read below to find out why Paytoo offers the ideal mobile wallet. PS.. Unlike Google's product, Paytoo's wallet is available today!

(Written by Ross MacDonald, CEO of Live Ensure). Original Post can be found here.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Google have just announced with some fanfare that they have created a mobile money eco-system. Android users can now use their devices fitted with NFC chips to make payments at selected Points of Sale in the US. This will only be launched on a limited scale some time in the Summer. It is not actually ready yet. (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/coming-soon-make-your-phone-your-wallet.html)

There is no doubt that those of us in the 'advanced' West will value the utility of being able to swipe our phones (which have become extensions of our very beings) when we buy coffee - the Starbucks app has been out for a while – (http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps) or when we make our day to day purchases. It will be 'cool' just as it is cool today to flash an NFC enabled credit card at an NFC enabled POS when making small value purchases.

However I would argue that the utility, of the full functionality of mobile money transactions, will only be fully appreciated by those living in less developed countries - where few have bank accounts and credit cards but many have mobile phones.

I was delighted and surprised to hear that the SWIFT conference in Mumbai being held this week has its focus on the unbanked. (http://www.swift.com/events/2011/Innotribe_Mumbai/index.page) SWIFT is the organization that provides a platform for banks (inter-alia) to automate and standardize financial transactions including transfers – hence the SWIFT code for bank accounts. So it is a big and brave step that they have taken into what must be, for them, uncharted territory.

Having grown up in the mobile phone industry in the 90's and been fortunate to have seen some pretty cool innovations in that space – what stood out for me at the time was the inability of mobile banking to take off (despite best efforts from us as a mobile operator and the maturity of the technology). My observation was that the failure was primarily political – it was a turf war between banks and MNO's. Banks did not want the MNO's to get too close to their business for fear of losing control of their customers.

Well that was a long time ago and since then things have moved on. Companies like Monitise (http://www.monitise.com/) have demonstrated that the banks have adapted and realize they need to be part of the new order. However they serve a limited segment of the potential global market. Their customers all have bank accounts and all that Monitise and other aspirants are doing, is creating a new channel.

What about those ( more than) 3bn mobile phone users who don't have bank accounts?? (Reliable statistics show that only 2bn of the more than 5bn mobile phone users globally are banked.) These are generally poorer people who live in emerging markets in Africa and Asia. They live in a cash economy with very high transaction costs. A large proportion of their income comes from remittances from the richer Western countries. The cost of these transactions are outrageous although competition is forcing these prices down (Western Union –http://www.westernunion.com ) The inefficiency in this financial system is deleterious to an already weakened economic order.


The challenge thus, is to provide a financial ecosystem that can bridge the sophistication of the banked with the needs and wants of the unbanked. Such a system should leverage existing networks and infrastructure so as to reduce costs of implementation and ultimately transactions costs. By using the mobile phone as the instrument for storing value (e-wallet) and its networks for sending the money one can achieve many of these objectives.

How does one translate cash into 'e-money ' and visa versa. This is a function of the partner networks that can be leveraged – these are the so- called pay in and pay out points where the user can do just that, put money in or take cash out. Of course ideally this should be integrated with the 'advanced' banking systems so that bank accounts, credit cards and debit cards can also interact with the system.

M-Pesa, (http://enterprise.vodafone.com/products_solutions/finance_solutions/m-pesa.jsp) is a great success story out of Kenya which demonstrates the ingenuity of a people whose culture and needs are not burdened by vested interests. However M-Pesa is relatively restricted in its reach and its scope of services.

Surely the ideal solution is one which taps into the users requirement for low cost calls ( he has a mobile phone already and hence wants to keep costs down), and also provides the ability for the user to make and receive payments, transfer money, pay bills and remit funds internationally - all off a single account (e-wallet). One that can be linked to credit cards and bank accounts but is also linked to ubiquitous networks of pay in and pay out points. And one that is also linked to a branded card that can be used to make payments, draw cash from ATM's as well as make online payments.

Well as it happens there is such a solution. It is provided by a company called Paymotech and it goes by the name of Paytoo (http://www.paytoo.com/). Unlike Google which is still trialing its mobile payment service Paytoo is now live across the US and is accessible at thousands of outlets. Paytoo has also implemented its services in countries like Nepal where in partnership with the central bank the Nepalese Diaspora can now remit funds to their families back home at an affordable rate. There are numerous other relationships in place ( check out their website) that demonstrate the efficiency and ingenuity of the Paytoo system. Paytoo have a Mastercard BIN which allows them to issue branded prepaid cards. They are also a global MVNO leveraging the Vodafone network – allowing Paytoo users to use their mobile phones abroad without incurring roaming charges. And there is much much more.

Perhaps SWIFT need look no further than Paytoo for a solution.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Universal Mobile Wallet for MVNO


Specializing in GSM telecommunications and secure payment solutions, Paymotech Group announces the launch of its Universal Mobile Wallet complete suit of services for MVNO’s.

Introduced during the MVNO World Summit in Barcelona, this breakthrough solution allows MVNO’s to maximize their revenue by embedding the Universal Mobile Wallet (Paytoo Services) into their own SIM card. Paymotech selected Oberthur Technologies, as a technical partner, based on their expertise to provide the technology embedded in the MVNO SIM card.

Now MVNO mobile users have access to the mobile wallet service natively. Using their SIM menu customers can: send credit to any other GSM user in the world with or without a Mobile wallet, pay stores, pay bills and have access to e-commerce platforms using Paytoo as a payment method. With the Mobile wallet suit of service MVNO’s can also have access to the international roaming network if needed. Paytoo also delivers more than 200 000 locations in more than 100 countries for top up and money transfer.


Paytoo Offers:

● Transfer credit all over the world with Cash in and Cash out facilities
● Worldwide top up and redeem network access
● Full E-commerce platform access with revolutionary micro-payment
● Prepaid card attached to mobile wallet using one unified balance


Michel Poignant, CEO of the Paymotech Group, states that: “Today, we are delighted to present to the MVNO market a unique opportunity for added revenue and mobile wallet solutions touching two thirds of the world’s population that uses a mobile phone and half of the population who is unbanked.”

Paytoo’s offering does not require additional infrastructure with its associated costs, it generates high revenue (ARPU) with high margins. These services not only add value to any MVNO’s campaign but also build customer loyalty and can reduce MVNO churn by providing superior services.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Paymotech is hiring Customer Service Representative



CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)


Paymotech is seeking positive, helpful, courteous representatives for inbound customer support calls, email responses and live chat. Paymotech wants self-starters who are motivated and upbeat with an excellent work ethic. Applicants must possess the ability to learn quickly and effectively in our highly technical, competitive business.

To perform this job successfully, the right candidate should be a naturally positive, helpful and courteous person who likes to assist people with their needs.

This position requires the Customer Service Representative be comfortable and able to work at a computer, talk to customers and problem solve simultaneously. You must possess and be able to demonstrate computer skills and experience. Paymotech will train you on how to provide value and support to our customers.

The right applicants will be able to resolve customer questions and concerns effectively and efficiently by actively listening, communicating clearly and concisely, and assuring customer understanding. Prior knowledge of the Global System for Mobile communications, GSM, is preferred.

The CSR positions available are for applicants seeking a full-time position with Paymotech. Our call center is open 24 hours with various shifts. All applicants must have a high school or equivalent education. We are currently seeking representatives that are multilingual in French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Chinese and various other world languages.

Founded in 1999, the Paymotech Group, through its Swiss holding company, is listed on the Frankfurt – Deutsche Börse Group (4PA.DE). Thanks to its Yackie Telecom and PayToo divisions, the Group has, since 2004, supplied telephony products, VoIP and SIM cards without roaming charges, as well as secure e-commerce payment transactions. With a work force of 23, made up of men and women with experience in the domains of telephony, payment and international commerce, the Group had operating income of over 3 million dollars in 2008.

Are you ready to join the team?

http://www.paytoomobile.com/
http://www.paytoo.com/

Monday, November 16, 2009

Worldwide launch of the 1st universal mobile wallet

http://www.paytoomobile.com/
<<PayToo Mobile>>


Geneva, November 9, 2009 – Specialized in GSM telecommunications and secure payment solutions,
the Paymotech Group announced the launch of the first mobile mobile wallet covering the entire world,
«PayToo Mobile».

After four years in development, through its two divisions, Yackie Telecom and PayToo, the Paymotech
Group presented the unveiling of its worldwide platform.
PayToo Mobile is the first GSM mobile wallet which brings together a complete telecommunication and
mobile payment solution, making use, all the while, of a single balance. The Paymotech Group has thus
revolutionized the way to communicate, exchange money or make payments, thanks to its mobile wallet.

Your telephone becomes your wallet
This solution integrates, for the first time, all telecommunication and payment services which are presently
available on the market: SIM card without roaming charges, VOIP account, calling card, additional
numbers attached to the account in more than 35 countries… and financial services providing for the
transfer of credit all around the world, to pay on line or pay stores directly using several means: bank
card, bar code, secure SMS, vocal server or even payment sticker without contact (NFC).
All these services share a single, unified balance (total of available credits prepaid by the user). This
credit is then available for calls, payments, transfers and withdrawals anywhere in the world, in real time
and securely.



Unique advantages on the market
This worldwide innovation will allow the targeted market of «roamers», travelers and people without bank
accounts to take advantage of a service which will allow them to save up to 80% on phone calls and
financial services. Moreover, PayToo Mobile has the benefit of the world’s widest distribution network and
is available in more than 200 countries, thanks to more than 450 roaming agreements and over 400,000
recharging stations.

  • Among the lowest prices for telephone calls on the market
  • The widest network coverage without roaming fees with more than 200 countries
  • SIM card and VoIP convergence (telephony account via the internet)
  • A mobile wallet useable in the entire world
  • => All these services use and share a single balance

Millions of potential users: «roamers», people without bank accounts, storekeepers
PayToo Mobile will both change roamers and travelers ways of communicating throughout the world and
the way in which millions of people will transfer their money and capital via their cell phone, the web or in
person. For example, currently, many storekeepers do not have the means to make use of a financial
organization to accept electronic payments, as well as credit cards. PayToo Mobile is the missing link:
storekeepers will be able to accept payments anywhere and at any time.

A proven technology for unique functionalities
By responding to market need on the basis of a reliable technological framework and a solid business
model, the Paymotech Group offers a unique service which does not currently have any equal.
Paymotech has done significant research in order to respond to a real market need, in order to supply
consumers and professionals with a payment solution, which includes the most recent technologies
available.
Paytoo is also the only telephony solution that is combined with financial services which uses a common
number. This patented technology allows one to have credit by means of a direct call to the person’s
mobile wallet.

Michel Poignant, CEO of the Paymotech Group, states that: «Today, we are delighted to present the fruit
of our research “PayToo Mobile”, the number one telephony solution, integrating low-cost financial
services. This solution will cater to group of pre-paid users around the world who do not necessarily have
access to payment and transfer solutions, which fit in with their pricing requirements. Our approach was
to develop a technology on the basis of the demand and not the contrary.» He added that: «I think that
with this innovation, we have come as close as possible to the equitable savings which are required to
build durable economies. ».
Already on the market in the United States, Australia and Asia, the Group will reinforce its European
presence with the opening of its French subsidiary.

About Paymotech:
Founded in 1999, the Paymotech Group, through its Swiss holding company, is listed on the Frankfurt – Deutsche Börse Group (4PA.DE). Thanks to its Yackie Telecom and PayToo divisions, the Group has, since 2004, supplied telephony products, VoIP and SIM cards without roaming charges, as well as secure e-commerce payment transactions. With a work force of 23, made up of men and women with experience in the domains of telephony, payment and international commerce, the Group had operating income of over 3 million dollars in 2008.

Contact:
EZRA Communication -Nicole Roffé
Tel.: + 33(0) 1 06 60 16 45
nroffe@ezracom.eu

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Where's My PayToo Mobile?

I was given the task to figure out some extra places to advertise for Paymotech's Paytoo Mobile Wallet. Being that I am the new kid on the block it is up to me to bring in some new, bright ideas. Geez! I hope I didn't leave my "thinking cap" at home. With my thinking cap securely fitted, I know to go straight to all of the major social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and of course I was led to blogging. I am 98% sure that everyone has a page either on Facebook or MySpace. I mean, my mom has even sent me a request! So, I start there.
I didn't realize that when you start a Facebook or MySpace page for someone other than yourself it can be difficult. When I was in college it was easy. Every smiling face would instantly be requested as a friend once back in my dorm or I'd be requested on a constant. Ahhhh, good ole popularity. But now! I want to make Paytoo Mobile popular. It's always a forward motion process which is great.

My BEST idea yet is....(drumroll please)....Study Abroad Students! (the crowd roars with cheers at this point)

I personally didn't study abroad myself BUT I know that students in a foreign countries still need a mobile phone. Listen closely I am about to explain something that you may NEVER heard of before. Ah! I'll tell a story.

     My name is Dayna and I am studying International Business. Last semester I went to France to study abroad and be more hands on with the world and my education. I needed a cell phone while over there so that I could reach my family back home in the US and the other way around. Have you heard of Paytoo Mobile Wallet? It was wonderful while I was there. I purchased an unlocked GSM phone and got a Paytoo Mobile Wallet SIM card. My calls were much cheaper than any of the competitor's rates. I could add credit onto my phone without leaving my apartment. I just used my personal credit card and instantly I had time to talk to the people I love most.
    I was so satisfied with the international calling service that I registered for Paytoo's other wonderful features. Being in college is tough for a young lady especially since I was so into my books I could barely work. And, without work there's typically no income! Before my mother was a registered Paytoo Mobile Wallet user, she would have to plan a trip to the store to send money via money transfer. Then, I would have to wait for the money to go through and get up to pick it up. After we were both registered, she would send money to me instantly from her Paytoo Wallet into mine without having to go anywhere. Let's just say, the fees she paid just to send the money transfers from a store location before have now became extra cash in my Mobile Wallet!
     I hope you're still with me. Once I would receive the money I would move some money into credits to make international calls without having to leave or purchase a physical calling card. IT'S ALL IN THE SIM! I could also go shopping for something new..I mean...buy study materials. The Paytoo Mobile Wallet, after registration, included a contactless PayPass card that I placed on the back of my cell phone and used at any PayPass location. There was an application I downloaded on my phone and this application when opened appeared as a bar code on the phone's screen. It worked just like the bar codes on the back of your favorite candy bar and can be scanned. Once the bar code is scanned money was deducted instantly from my Paytoo account. There were and are so many great things about registering fully for a Paytoo Mobile Wallet account.
    Once I returned home (back to the US of A), I could use my regular service provider in my phone and use the Paytoo Mobile Wallet to instantly pay for movie ticket and still recieve money from Mom! Paytoo helped make my study abroad experience easier. If only Paytoo Mobile could come change the cat's litter.

So as you can see Paytoo Mobile Wallet is all you need for international calling, money transfers and item purchases. Works in over 200 countries and saves up to 80% on international calls.