Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijani mobile operator Bakcell is preparing to launch a mobile finance service, Bakcell CEO Richard Shearer said on August 21.

Works have been underway in this regard over the past two years. Launching of the service does not made entirely by the mobile operator.

"Certain measures are also being taken by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan," Shearer said. "I hope that in the near future, we will be able to see the results."

"Based on a new legislation, the provision of mobile financial services in Azerbaijan will become a reality, and we believe that this legislation will be able to make lots of changes," Shearer concluded.

Today a number of employees of the managerial staff in Azerbaijan have the necessary skills and knowledge that could be used in this field.

"The issue of deployment of mobile finance services is within the scope of our interests, and is one of the priorities of the company," he said.

Bakcell is also preparing to launch a public transport payment service via mobile phones.

Shearer said organization of mobile payments for purchase in public transport is one of the priorities of the company's plans.

"We are not interested in the deduction of the fare from the balance of the mobile subscriber. We are thinking of creating an additional account where you can make payments," he noted.

Currently, the subscribers of the other mobile phone operator Azercell can purchase the transit in Baku Metro. The service includes buying an electronic balance for travel in the metro by funds from the mobile subscriber's account.

Azercell also intends to introduce payment services in land transport. The company is developing the so-called "double-purse", which will allow customers to monitor two accounts - the first will be tied to GSM, the second will carry out mobile payments, such as utility bills and other services.

Azerbaijan, a country with the mobile phone penetration rate of 110 percent, has three mobile operators: Azercell, Bakcell and Azerfon.