Digicel Fiji launches Mobile Money
July 15th 2010 - Digicel Mobile MoneyContact:
Niamh Byrne
(679) 701 5030
niamh.byrne@digicelgroup.com
Digicel
Digicel Mobile Money transfers set to be supported by select Digicel and Post Fiji outlets nationwide.
Thursday, 15 July 2010 – Suva, Fiji: Digicel Fiji today announced details of the new “Digicel Mobile Money” service, which offers the people of Fiji a range of mobile financial capabilities including the ability to transfer money to friends and family nationwide, top up your phone and pay Digicel post-paid bills.
The innovative service, offered in partnership with Post Fiji, will see Digicel phones become electronic wallets offering customers a convenient and secure way to transfer money to any mobile phone in Fiji, pay Digicel post-paid bills, top-up and deposit or withdraw cash from their electronic wallets at select Digicel and Post Fiji outlets across the country. Registration is free and can be completed by dialing *888#.
Digicel Mobile Money launches today, Thursday, 15th July; customers will be able to deposit and withdraw money through their Mobile Money accounts at selected Post Fiji outlets and Digicel stores nationwide. The number of outlets is set to increase to 100 in the coming weeks, covering every corner of Fiji through Digicel and Post Fiji national network.
The project, in development for over ten months, is regulated by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and supported by the Pacific Financial Inclusion Fund (PFIP) and the GSM Association (GSMA) with a view to promoting financial inclusion within Fiji and the Pacific Islands. Digicel Mobile Money aims to assist in addressing the needs of the 70% of Fijians who do not have access to basic financial services.
Digicel has completed a comprehensive series of trials, monitored by the Reserve Bank, which included real-time testing by customers of secure international and national Mobile Money transfers, cash-in and out transactions, bill payments as well as salary payments to mobiles.
Customers can register for Digicel Mobile Money for free by dialing *888#; each new number registered for Digicel Mobile Money will each receive $1 free money on the mobile wallet when carrying out their first transaction, and will also be entered into a draw to win $1,000.
Governor of the Reserve Bank of
Matt Davey, CEO Digicel Fiji, said, “The launch of Digicel Mobile Money offers a secure and convenient way of transferring and handling money and is set to have a huge impact on the lives of our customers in Fiji and across the Pacific. As the Pacific’s fastest growing telecoms provider, Digicel is uniquely positioned to roll this service out across the Pacific.”
Mr. Davey added, “Customers can join for free and our message is simple: give Digicel Mobile Money a try and you will be amazed at how it can make your life easier”.
Stephen Breen, Digicel Pacific Mobile Money Director, said ““Digicel Mobile Money will transform the way our customers receive, handle, transfer money and pay bills. Digicel’s partnership with Post Fiji means we can provide simple, accessible financial transactions to the thousands of Fijians throughout the country who do not have access to basic financial services. We are very grateful to the Reserve Bank of
Tillman Bruett, Technical Advisor of the United Nations Development Programme’s PFIP said, “This project is a very important step in bringing access to safe and affordable financial services to the estimated 70% of Pacific islanders that are unbanked. The majority of low income households in the Pacific need an affordable and a safe means to store and move money. We are supporting a number of initiatives in the region and are happy to be working with Digicel in
Summary of initial Digicel Mobile Money services:
· Activate your Digicel Mobile Money wallet by dialing *888# on your Digicel handset
· Simple, secure mobile to mobile money transfers
· Cash lodgment and withdrawals at selected Digicel and Post Fiji outlets nationwide. Over 100 outlets will soon be available.
· The ability to instantly buy and send Top Up
· Pay Digicel post-paid bills
· Check balance and transaction history and manage security password
ENDS
ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP
After nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 10.8 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean,
Digicel is the lead sponsor of
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in
In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the
It is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
ABOUT RESERVE BANK OF
The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) is committed to supporting the growth and development of the economy through generating new sources of employment, income and reducing poverty through small and medium initiatives enterprises. The RBF is working closely with stakeholders to develop greater financial inclusion for all segments of society in ensuring affordable and accessible financial services for the poor and those living in remote areas.
ABOUT PACIFIC FINANCIAL INCLUSION PROGRAMME (PFIP)
The Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) is a Pacific-wide programme helping to provide sustainable financial services to low income households. It is funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and operates from the UNDP Pacific Centre.
For more information on PFIP, please contact tillman.bruett@uncdf.org
