Bangkok--10 Aug--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
True Money demonstrated its leadership in innovative financial services via the GSM network, by being awarded Mobile Money for Unbanked (MMU) funds in support of its “Banking’s Last Mile” project which is an expansion of the True Money Express franchise. The company aims to open 10,000 new True Money Express and EDC-based payment locations at the sub-district level within one year, ultimately leveraging mobile phone technologies to make it more convenient for consumers nationwide to enjoy new services and promote a more sustainable and easier lifestyle.
Mr. Piyachart Ratanaprasartporn, General Manager of True Money Co., Ltd., said, “We are very proud that the GSMA has granted our “Banking’s Last Mile” project a MMU grant. True Money is the first and only GSM-based e-payment provider under the umbrella of TrueMove to receive the funds that will be used to make its TrueMoney Express, payment service expansion plan a sustainable success. This award reflects True Money’s trusted and widely accepted potential to provide mobile payment services. Our plan to broaden the TrueMoney Express franchise network is well suited to the GSMA’s goal to increase access to financial services by mobile phones.” “The goal of the TrueMoney Express location expansion is to open 10,000 new payment locations for top-ups, True bill payments, and payments for utilities, credit cards and life insurance premiums via the GSM network within one year using the MLM: Multi-Level Marketing strategy to reach rural consumers in remote areas at the sub-district and cooperative level. The mobile phone technology will ultimately be leveraged in daily life, making it easier and more convenient for bill payments and income gains. Whoever wants to own a TrueMoney Express franchise via the GSM network can apply by (1) operating a TrueMove service with the application fee of only 599 baht or 2) providing the EDC-based payment service with the application fee of 19,990 baht each and receiving a comprehensive set of supporting tools. The TrueMoney Express franchise expansion reinforces True’s mission to be a Lifestyle Enabler by applying comprehensive telecommunications technology to boost a more sustainable and convenient lifestyle,” added Mr. Piyachart.
TrueMoney is among the first in Thailand to provide mobile money services. The company was established in 2005 under the consent of the Bank of Thailand to operate an e-cash card business. It was permitted by the Revenue Department to be a payment agent. In 2002, the ICT Ministry and Bank of Thailand granted TrueMoney three licenses to operate e-payment services and they are e-purchase, e-payment and e-payment via any device or network. Currently, TrueMoney has more than 6 million customers via the TrueMove mobile phone system.
MMU, established by the GSMA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2009, works with mobile operators, banks, microfinance institutions, government and development organizations to encourage the expansion of reliable and affordable mobile financial services to the unbanked. To date, the MMU has awarded total funds of US$ 5 million to 20 projects in Africa, Asia and South America to accelerate mobile money deployments which target base of the pyramid customers who are unbanked.
For more information, please contact (media enquiries only):
Corporate Communications and Marketing PR - True Group
Email:
[email protected]
Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Jaruwan Vorarakthananune Tel: +66 (0) 22529871-7 Email:
[email protected]