T-Mobile customers have embraced m-payments

• In 2012, T-Mobile customers made payments worth more than CZK 1 billion via mobile phones
• T-Mobile m-payment: 71% of the volume of all transactions made via payment gateways of all operators

Prague, 12 March 2013 –T-Mobile customers are starting to increasingly appreciate the possibility of using their mobile telephones as a payment tool. Last year, for the first time ever, they spent more than a billion Czech crowns using this payment method. 

In 2012, customers of the magenta operator made payments in the total amount of CZK 1.017 billion using their mobile phones. The group of mobile payments includes Premium SMS and SMS payment (including the very popular SMS public transport tickets), audiotex and m-payment services as well as Donor SMS. The largest volume of transactions out of the total volume of transactions made via payment gateways of mobile operators was rendered via T-Mobile’s m-payment service – a full 71%.

“Recently, we have seen increased interest of both customers and vendors in using the m-payment service. A year-on-year increase of 111% is a very nice figure indeed,” says Milan Hába, Vice President Category & Product Management at T-Mobile, adding: “People particularly appreciate the convenience offered by payments for purchases via mobile telephones. We believe that in the near future we will be able to further extend the payment options, for example using NFC technology.”

T-Mobile introduced the m-payment service as early as in 1999 at the Invex trade show and became one of the first operators in the world to put it into commercial use. The service allows customers to pay for goods and services conveniently on-line, either using the web browser in their mobile telephones or via computer.

T-Mobile has responded to the growing popularity of payments via mobile telephones not only by expanding its current services but also by developing and implementing new solutions. This year, the operator plans to launch NFC technology, which allows wireless data transfers between two electronic devices over a short distance. With a special SIM card and a NFC-enabled handset, customers will be able to make safe and fast payments or identify themselves upon entering a building or a cultural (or sports) event.

For more information about T-Mobile’s mobile payment services, please visit www.platmobilem.cz.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.