GSM major Idea Cellular today launched a pilot service of mobile-based money remittances for its subscribers in United Arab Emirates (UAE). This service has been developed in association with Tata Communications, UAE-based Etisalat and HSBC India. In the first phase, this service will be extended to its over 2.7 million subscribers in Kerala.Pradeep Shrivastav, chief marketing officer, Idea Cellular, said, "Studies have revealed that remittances have greatly influenced income, consumption and saving patterns in Kerala. Creating broad based financial empowerment to our subscribers, this mobile base service will be truly effective and path breaking, helping us further build our leadership position in the Kerala circle."The service will enable Indian expatriates in UAE to transfer money to their relatives back home using their mobile phones. In this process, Etisalat will provide security in money remittance, Tata Communications will provide the central hub for the service and HSBC will be the banking channel for the funds transfer and disbursement in India with Mashreq being the banking partner in UAE."This service is only the beginning of Tata Communications plans to create a global hub for interoperability of all mobile commerce transaction. Our dedication to the mCommerce space reinforces Tata Communications' commitment to the continued development of innovative value-added services for mobile operators," said Vinod Kumar, president, global data and mobility services, Tata Communications.
