Page 67 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Competing Telecom Operators Integrate Mobile Financial Platforms

Jazz and Telenor, two of the biggest mobile a first of its kind deal between the two Through this partnership with JazzCash,
telecommunication service providers in players and is a welcome development, we are enhancing the user experience to
Pakistan, have joined hands with each given that the digital world is moving be more inclusive of what our industry has
other’s microfinance banks to facilitate their forward at a rapid pace and there is a to offer while providing a wider gateway
respective customers. As per details, Jazz need to leverage digital channels to make towards financial inclusion. In this era of
has partnered with Telenor Microfinance it as easy as possible for customers to digitalization, we are reducing boundaries
Bank while Telenor Pakistan has partnered choose what service they should use. and enabling our customers through
with JazzCash keeping in view recent Jazz Chief Operating Officer Asif Aziz integrated touch points.” Khurram Malik,
developments in the digital ecosystem said, “Our priority is to promote consumer Head of Easypaisa commented on the
and to ensure the provision of services choice and improve access to high-quality partnership, “Easypaisa is transforming the
for more fluid customer experiences. digital financial services, particularly for way users perform financial transactions.
According to a joint press release issued underserved households. This partnership We aim to digitize user experience by
in this regard, “The partnership’s aim is to with Easypaisa is a vital step towards building a digital ecosystem that allows
enable a digital ecosystem for consumers this mandate of ours. Collaborating with them to enjoy convenient payment options.
to enhance their ability to manage financial a competing mobile payments provider This partnership with Jazz is another
and mobile communications needs by shows our willingness to build a border- step in that direction. We will continue to
providing reliable, border-less services.” less payments ecosystem, which shall help bring more brands and service providers
Following this direct integration among the build a more open, interoperable payments under the Easypaisa umbrella to create
entities, the Easypaisa App could be used system in the future.” Speaking on the diverse opportunities as well as provide
to purchase Jazz airtime while JazzCash development, Telenor Pakistan Marketing ease to consumers”. The deal between
mobile application could be used to Director Umair Mohsin said, “We always two competing mobile operators and
purchase Telenor Pakistan’s bundles. have customers at the core of our business financial services provides an insight into
“Jazz bundles will also be available on and our priority is to bring convenience the benefits that technology offers. Such
the Easypaisa App in the future.” This is and feasibility to them at their fingertips. alliances and interoperability allow these
two players to deliver on many of their
promises, including enhanced efficiencies
and better customer experience. As
per PTA indicators, Jazz holds 36.55pc
of telecommunication market share
followed by Telenor Pakistan with 27.68pc.
EasyPaisa was launched in partnership
with Tameer Microfinance Bank Limited in
2009, while JazzCash came into formation
in 2012 in partnership with Mobilink
Microfinance Bank. As per a newsletter
issued by the State Bank of Pakistan at the
close of 2018, the two branchless banking
services were competing head-to-head,
with Mobilink at approximately 47pc and
Telenor at 41pc share of active accounts.

Inwi Withdraws Lawsuit against Maroc Telecom

Moroccan telecoms company Inwi has provisions related to fair competition was delaying competitors’ access to local
revealed that it has dropped a lawsuit brought in March 2018 at a commercial loop unbundling (LLU) on its network.
against the country’s market leader court in Rabat, with Inwi demanding more Inwi said in its press release that ANRT’s
Maroc Telecom (IAM). The decision than MAD5.7 billion (USD580 million) in decision will ‘restore fair competition in
was instigated by Inwi’s majority owner damages. Last month, Morocco’s National the telecommunications market, benefiting
Societe Nationale d’Investissement Agency of Telecommunications Regulation consumers and companies, as well as strict
(SNI), a Moroccan investment fund with (Agence Nationale de Reglementation compliance with the laws and regulations
assets of at least USD2 billion, which is de Telecom, ANRT) fined Maroc Telecom in this field.’
controlled by the royal family. The case MAD3.3 billion for abusing its dominant
for non-compliance with regulatory position in the market by preventing and

67 FEBRUARY 2020