New Platform will make Mobile Network Operators an important player in the financial sector
TOKYO, Monday, December 13th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KDDI Corporation (KDDI)(TOKYO:9433), a Japanese telecom giant, and Microfinance International Corporation (MFIC), a US financial solution provider, announced a partnership involving KDDI's US$22 million investment in MFIC to support its global expansion. The partnership will develop an open mobile payment platform worldwide.
KDDI's extensive global relationship with over 600 carriers and MFIC's innovative money transfer solution – advanced payment/settlement system connected to a network of payers in 90 countries -- will enable mobile network operators (MNOs) to offer competitive financial services and expand the boundary of financial services to integrate billions of unbanked customers into the formal financial system.
Takashi Tanaka, President of KDDI said, "We are seeing more and more convergence of telecommunications and financial services going on worldwide, still most of them are local movements. In such circumstances, I am very excited and looking forward to the collaboration with MFIC who has extensive financial expertise, bringing both of us a chance for true global business development."
Atsumasa Tochisako, President and CEO of MFIC said, "I am grateful for KDDI's confidence in MFIC and its commitment to the development of new global infrastructure. Mobile money brings paradigm shift in the financial sector and I am excited to partner with KDDI to both be leaders in the industry."
As the first step of collaboration, in January 2011 Locus Telecommunications Inc., KDDI's subsidiary headquartered in New Jersey is launching a new service in the US, allowing customers to send money overseas using a multi-purpose calling card.
Still in early stage, mobile money has strong momentum backed by industries, governments and aid organizations given its enormous potential for market growth and financial inclusion. According to CGAP, a microfinance group based at the World Bank, the number of those who lack a bank account but have mobile phone will reach 1.7 billion in 2012, about 70% of the entire unbanked population worldwide.
About KDDI
With more than 30 million subscribers, KDDI is Japan's second-largest mobile operator. Furthermore, together with its subsidiaries, now KDDI is the only Japanese ICT solution company that provides comprehensive services for consumers and corporate clients. With services from fixed to mobile communications and solutions, "TELEHOUSE" data centers and broadcasting, KDDI aims to be a company that creates new styles for customer's lives and corporate activities from local communities to overseas with communication as its base.
www.kddi.com/english/index.html
About MFIC
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Microfinance International Corporation (MFIC) aims to expand affordable, professional financial services to markets where such services have been unavailable, overpriced or disconnected from mainstream banking. MFIC offers ARIAS, innovative payment solution, and other services to provide financial service providers an immediate infrastructure to securely deliver value-added services to these markets worldwide.
www.mfi-corp.com
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For media enquiries, please contact:
KDDI Corporation
Public Relations Section
prdpt@kddi.com
Microfinance International Corporation
Yasuko Fumuro
yfumuro@mfi-corp.com
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