Singtel's mobile wallet services will come to GrabTaxi app by 2016

Senior executives from the Singtel Group and GrabTaxi, including (fifth from left, front row) Ms Chua Sock Koong, group CEO of Singtel, and (sixth from left, front row) Ms Tan Hooi Ling, co-founder of GrabTaxi, at the MOU signing ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia.
PHOTO: SINGTEL

SINGAPORE - The Singtel Group has joined hands with GrabTaxi to promote its mobile wallet services for taxi app customers in the region who do not prefer to make payments by cash or credit card.

Users of Thailand's AIS, Philippines' Globe and Indonesia's Telkomsel will be able to book cabs through the GrabTaxi app and pay for the rides using the personal wallet services, the company said in a release on Wednesday (Dec 9).

The Open Platform integration to GrabTaxi's app is expected to be ready by mid-2016.

"People in South-east Asia are hyperconnected on mobile, and it's our goal to provide another payment option for passengers via a channel they are familiar with," said Mr Anthony Tan, CEO and co-founder of GrabTaxi. "GrabTaxi passengers will soon have the option to streamline their payments, including transport expenses, to one mobile wallet and reduce reliance on carrying cash," he said.

"The collaboration will enable more mobile customers to enjoy cashless payments through their smartphones," said Mr Mark Chong, chief executive officer (international) of Singtel.

According to the memorandum of understanding, GrabTaxi drivers will be offered customised data-centric mobile plans tailored in anticipation of their higher data usage needs, and encouraged to use their mobile wallets to accept payments.

Singtel is Asia's leading communications and ICT solutions group with a presence in Asia, Australia and Africa, and reaches over 575 million mobile customers in 25 countries.

GrabTaxi began as a taxi-hailing app in 2012, but has extended its product platform to include private car services offering services in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand through its mobile app platform, which has been downloaded 10 million times.

rupsk@sph.com.sg

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