Merième Addou, AfricaNews reporter in Rabat, Morocco
Maroc telecom has launched Mobicash, Morocco's first trials of mobile debit payment service. This first service of money transfer and payment by cell phone has been the object of an agreement signed between Morocco Telecom operators and Attijariwafa bank and the Central 'Banque Populaire'.
MobiCash is a complete mobile payment platform that works immediately on every existing cell phone. Transactions are securely signed with NSDT (Near Sound Data Transfer), a technology that sends “cryptosounds” through the phone’s audio channel to enable contact-less mobile payment.
This new service allows operators to provide their subscribers with variety of services and conduct, secure transactions such as deposit and withdrawal of money from Mobicash accounts in all Telecom agencies. It also provides bill payments, money transfers across Morocco as well as mobile banking and international remittances services.
This could be an excellent option for companies that offer mass-market mobile applications and are looking for ways to easily accept payments.
This service is open to customers of Maroc Telecom without having to hold a bank account and its activation takes place in Maroc Telecom agencies upon presentation of the national identity card.
Through its innovative platform, people can now leave their cash behind and safely. However the question of how subscribers can be assured that their money will not be siphoned from their accounts has however, not been fully addressed and many people are still skeptical about the security of mobile commerce.
Maroc-Telecom, of which the French group Vivendi holds 51% shares, employs more than 11,000 people.
Maroc-Telecom, Meditel and Maroc Connect are the three telephone companies currently operating in Morocco.
Maroc telecom has launched Mobicash, Morocco's first trials of mobile debit payment service. This first service of money transfer and payment by cell phone has been the object of an agreement signed between Morocco Telecom operators and Attijariwafa bank and the Central 'Banque Populaire'.
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