VODAFONE LAUNCHES MONEY TRANSFER

Doha,Qatar, Monday, November 29th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:

Vodafone Qatar today launched their revolutionary new service Vodafone Money Transfer. The service enables Vodafone customers in Qatar to instantly make international money remittances directly from their mobile phone. Approved to launch by Qatar Central Bank, this service is a major milestone not only in mobile telecommunications, but also in improving accessibility of financial services to low-income groups.



Vodafone Money Transfer is safe, simple, quick and the most convenient way to send money to family overseas. The service will make it easier to send money overseas for the more than 1 million expatriates living in Qatar who send the bulk of their salary home to their family.



In partnership with Doha Bank, Vodafone’s financial services provider for Vodafone Money Transfer, and Globe Telecom, Vodafone Money Transfer will enable customers to instantly make mobile-to-mobile money transfer from Qatar to the Philippines. In the future, Vodafone Money Transfer will be expanding remittance options beyond the Philippines to countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East



For now, Vodafone Money Transfer users in Qatar will be able to send funds directly from their mobile phones to any GCASH enabled mobile in Philippines, or send money to a bank account or for collection at a GCASH Remit outlet. All Vodafone and GCASH transactions are secured with a PIN to ensure security of the fund transfer. In addition, both the sender and recipient are notified of the transaction via SMS.



In his opening speech, John Tombleson, Vodafone Acting CEO said, “We are thrilled to be launching this groundbreaking service that will change the way people send money abroad and make a world of difference to so many people’s lives.”



“Vodafone Money Transfer happened in Qatar thanks to the positive and forward thinking attitudes of the people, businesses and regulators in this country. Qatar has now established itself as a world leader in innovative financial services. On behalf of everyone at Vodafone Qatar, I’d like to thank His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani for his progressive vision for Qatar that has allowed Vodafone Money Transfer to come to life,” continued John Tombleson.



The launch of Vodafone Money Transfer featured a live remittance demo from Doha to Manila performed by Ambassador of the Philippines to Qatar Crescente Relacion and celebrity TV personality Bianca Gonzalez in Manila, which took less than 5 minutes, end to end, proving how quick and easy to use Vodafone Money Transfer is.



“Vodafone has led mobile money services in Africa and across the world, with more than 20 million people using Vodafone to transfer money locally and internationally. Our ability to leverage the experience, best practices and people from across the Vodafone Group has been instrumental in being able to take this next step with international transfers from here in Qatar,” explained Senior Product Manager, Markus Bikker



“Current remittance services are rather costly, an average transmission of money to an international destination costs around QR 20. With Vodafone Money Transfer customers can send money to a GCASH phones to the Philippines within minutes and it costs only QR 12. Now more of people’s hard earned money gets to where it’s needed with Vodafone Money Transfer,” continued Markus Bikker.



To use the service customers need to register for a Vodafone Money Transfer account from Vodafone Qatar and money can be loaded onto their mobile phone from any Vodafone store, Doha Bank’s e-branches or can be loaded directly via a bank transfer. Once a customer has loaded their Vodafone Money Account they can then send abroad anytime they like. Until money is transferred or spent it is stored for customers with Doha Bank. This means that customers also have the option to get their money cashed out in any Vodafone store or Doha Bank e-branch.



For further information on Vodafone Money Transfer, please visit: www.vodafone.com.qa/VMT



-ENDS-



About Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.

Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. ("Vodafone Qatar") is the holder of the Second Public Mobile and Fixed Telecommunications Networks and Services License in the State of Qatar.


Vodafone Qatar’s purpose is to “Make a World of Difference for All People in Qatar” by aiming to become “the most admired company in Qatar.”


Please visit www.vodafone.com.qa for more details.


For media enquiries, please contact:

Lana Khachan
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.com