Singtel Group and GrabTaxi in regional mobile wallet pact

• Customers can pay via smartphones, instead of cash or credit cards
• GrabTaxi drivers to be offered customised data-centric mobile plans

 
THE Singtel Group said it inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with taxi-hailing and ride-sharing startup GrabTaxi to promote the use of the group’s mobile wallet services on the latter’s app.
 
Through a group-wide open platform, mobile customers of AIS, Globe and Telkomsel will be able to book vehicles using the GrabTaxi app, and pay for rides using their personal mobile wallets, Singtel said in a statement.
 
This partnership will provide a seamless and convenient experience for users, who may prefer not to pay with cash or credit cards, the company added.
 
The open platform integration to GrabTaxi’s app is expected to be ready by mid-2016.
 
“Telco billing relationships are a key enabler in developing markets, where less than 10% of the population own credit cards or bank accounts,” said Singtel International chief executive officer Mark Chong.
 
“Through our open platform, online retailers and service providers such as GrabTaxi can easily connect to the payment platforms of all members of the Singtel Group.
 
“The collaboration will enable more mobile customers to enjoy cashless payments through their smartphones,” he added.
 
As part of the MoU, GrabTaxi drivers will be encouraged to use their mobile wallets to accept payments. GrabTaxi drivers will be offered customised data-centric mobile plans tailored in anticipation of their higher data usage needs, Singtel said.
 
“People in South-East Asia are hyperconnected on mobile, and it’s our goal to provide another payment option for passengers via a channel they are familiar with,” said GrabTaxi cofounder and chief executive officer Anthony Tan.
 
“GrabTaxi passengers will soon have the option to streamline their payments, including transport expenses, to one mobile wallet and reduce reliance on carrying cash.
 
“Our partnership with the Singtel Group also enables us to reward our drivers with better value mobile plans and provide access to more customers,” he added.
 
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