Mobiamo connects with Smart Communications to allow international and local businesses better monetize users in the Philippines.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES, December 29 — As part of its successful growth, Paymentwall has integrated Smart Communications into Mobiamo, its global carriers network, to provide an alternative payment solution for mobile-savvy Filipinos.
“We are thrilled to partner with Paymentwall, which provides Smart subscribers with another way to purchase and enjoy digital content using their load. Such ease and convenience in accessing the widest breadth of mobile entertainment is at the core of our campaign for more Filipinos to live and experience the Smart Life,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, head of Smart’s Innovation and Product Development Group.
The integration allows Smart to further push its presence to the local e-commerce market. Introducing the option for carrier billing (to be deducted from users’ prepaid amount, or billed on monthly postpaid bills) gives merchants opportunities to sell online, considering that 73 percent of Filipinos do not have bank accounts, with only 3 percent of the total population owning credit cards. The integration will help local and international businesses to reach out to 67 million Smart Communications customers.
“Consumers can now enjoy a personalized shopping experience using their mobile phones as a payment vehicle – anytime, anywhere. It’s safer than carrying cash, and is more convenient where ATM machines and banks are less widespread. With Mobiamo and Smart, the Philippines’ shopping experience has been made more convenient — and more fun,” said Manuel Prinz, strategic partnership director of Paymentwall.
Due to the low credit card penetration rate, the local e-commerce market still relies on physical meetups and cash-based payment methods to complete transactions. However, it is also observed that a large percentage of online purchases are done through alternative payment methods, with carrier billing as part of that category. By being part of the global carriers network, Smart can give all merchants and users a better and more convenient way to conduct business.
The Mobiamo integration will help Smart to reach more international businesses located outside of the Philippines. Mobiamo has established relationships with major players in the digital space – Corel, Smilegate, Huawei, Tencent, andIMVU, to name a few – and can now connect to the Philippine market. Paymentwall, which has been rapidly growing its operations in the Philippines for the past three years, is highlighting the integration as a massive venture.
About Mobiamo
Mobiamo LLC, a Paymentwall company, is a global mobile carrier billing solution which enables online businesses to accept payments from any mobile phone user globally. Mobiamo supports Direct Carrier Billing and Premium SMS Billing, allowing users to purchase digital goods and services. The company has over 240 mobile carriers connected in more than 80 countries, with about 100,000 customers in the Philippines.
The Mobiamo team always strives to push the future of payments by partnering with carriers globally, ushering in a new era of mobile-enhanced payments. For more information, please visit http://www.mobiamo.com.
About Smart Communications
Smart Communications, Inc. is the Philippine leader in mobile with 67 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-September 2015, under the brands Smart, Sun Cellular, and TNT. The company has built a reputation for innovation, having introduced world-first wireless offerings such as Smart Money, Smart Load, Smart Padala, and the Netphone. Smart offers 3G, HSPA+, and LTE services, while its satellite service Smart Link provides communications to the global maritime industry. Smart’s wireless broadband subscribers number 3.7 million under the brands Smart Bro and Sun Wireless Broadband.
Smart is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Philippines’ leading telecommunications carrier, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. For more information, please visit http://www.smart.com.ph.