Cellcom launches payment platform

KATHMANDU, MAR 25:

Cellcom has launched Cellpay, the latest payment platform in the growing Nepali mobile commerce market.

In the initial stage, Cellpay will allow its users to make payments for Nepal Telecom’s services — balance recharge, payment of GSM, CDMA and PSTN service and ADSL internet. “This is the first of its kind payment portal that allows pinless recharge for pre-paid mobile service of Nepal Telecom at anytime from anywhere,” said managing director of Cellcom Pvt Ltd Rajendra Bahadur Singh.

Cellpay can be accessed either through a mobile application in smartphones or through SMS service. Customers who have a deposit account with any of Cellpay’s partner banks can tie up their account with this service but they have to register themselves with Cellpay. After the order is placed through a mobile device, the amount is deducted from the bank account and the mobile, landline or internet bill is paid simultaneously.

“Unlike other SMS payment portals that deduct additional charges, our service will not include any additional charge,” added Singh. At present, Cellpay has affiliated its service with Citizens Bank International, Century Commercial Bank and Kumari Bank.

Any customer without any bank account can also access the service through designated agents such as local retailers. “We are in the process of appointing agents who will allow customers to access Cellpay and make payments,” he said.

Mobile payment service and mobile commerce is an emerging sector in Nepal that facilitates the expansion of financial services. Some existing services are Kumari Bank’s Mobile Cash, Finaccess’ Hello Paisa, and F1Soft’s Fonepay and eSewa that provide a platform for mobile and internet payments. These portals work as a mobile wallet that allows customers to make merchant payments at retailers, and utility payment for phones bills and electricity among others, and even make person to person transfers.

Source: THT