DStv Subscribers to pay bills via M-PESA

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July 22, 2010 – Listed telecoms firm Safaricom has entered into partnership with pay TV Company MultiChoice that will allow DStv customers pay their bills through the M-PESA service.

Safaricom currently deals with over 300 firms in similar arrangements that have seen millions of customers make payments from the convenience of their homes and offices through the M-PESA Pay Bill service.

The service will be available to DStv customers country-wide most of whom are already users of the revolutionary M-PESA service.

While signing the partnership at Safaricom House, Safaricom CEO Mr. Michael Joseph said the partnership was strategic as many DStv subscribers are high value customers whom Safaricom is targeting for its M-PESA Pay Bill service.

“The convenience that this service offers to them will eventually make them want to use the service with other M-PESA Pay Bill partners,” said Joseph.

Joseph said Safaricom would continue partnering with organizations from diverse sectors especially public utility providers in the market with a view of streamlining and improving service delivery to Kenyans.

“We believe in offering business solutions that make it easier for our partners to service their clients. This launch is a clear indication of this commitment,” he said.
MultiChoice Kenya General Manager Mr. Stephen Isaboke applauded the introduction of the new DStv payment Solution through M-PESA, which will allow for much more efficient and convenient access of DStv services than ever before.

“MultiChoice is constantly driven to ensure that all our subscribers are delighted with the total offering and we are continuously looking to improve business processes to provide first class service to our customers” said Isaboke

“MultiChoice recognizes that success is built on listening to subscriber needs, delivering world-class television channels, developing local content and  delivering excellent customer service” Isaboke added.

Customers using the service will be charged KShs. 20 for amounts less than KShs.1,000 and KShs. 30 for amounts exceeding KShs. 1,000.  M-PESA transaction limits will apply for the service. The paid amount will be reflected in the customer’s account within 2 hours and a confirmation SMS sent to the customer by MultiChoice.

To make payments through this system, customers will have to:

1.Select “Pay Bill” on the M-PESA menu

2.Enter the MultiChoice  business number as 444900

3.Enter their MultiChoice account number in full

4.Enter the amount they wish to pay

5.Enter the M-PESA PIN; confirm details are correct before completing the transaction.

6.M-PESA will send a confirmation message with payment details immediately.

The growth of the M-PESA service has gone beyond its primary role of mobile money transfer to include value-added services such as the Pay Bill and Bulk Payments functionalities.

M-PESA, the electronic money transfer service launched in partnership with Vodafone in March 2007, has grown steadily and since launch has registered over 10 million users who can access the service anywhere in the country.

This service has been powered by Lipuka- a mobile platform provided by Cellulant

Notes to the Editor

The M-PESA Pay Bill service, also known as Customer to Business payments, enables a registered M-PESA customer to pay or deposit money into an organization’s M-PESA account.

The M-PESA Bulk Payment service, also known as Business to Customer payments, enables an organization to pay money to multiple customers at the click of a button.

The uptake and use of M-PESA has risen remarkably with new registrations exceeding 10,000 subscribers per day.

M-PESA does not require users to have a bank account. Account holders can purchase M-PESA value at Agent outlets nationwide and send money to any other mobile phone user in the country, who may then redeem it for conventional cash at any M-PESA outlet. To receive money via M-PESA a customer does not need to be registered for the service.

M-PESA customers can hold up to KShs. 50,000 in their M-PESA account at any one time, and transact up to KShs. 75,000 per day. The value in a customer’s account is protected by a four-digit M-PESA PIN, which should at all times be kept secret.

MultiChoice Africa continues to develop satellite infrastructure, digital technology and new channels, with the focus ultimately to expand the DStv subscribers’ experience and continue to deliver exceptional value to subscribers.

MultiChoice currently offers a range of bouquets designed to meet the viewing needs of the whole familly these include – DStv Premium with over 80 Channels; DStv Compact over 50 Channels: DStvFamily over 40 Channels & Access over 30 Channels.

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