PRESS RELEASE
Feb. 29, 2012, 11:20 a.m. EST
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 29, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The successful launch of Etisalat's mobile money and NFC solutions across multiple affiliates in Asia, Africa and the Middle East reinforces its position as a true global player in the mobile payments arena and supports its global ambition to be an innovation and market leader.
The decade long partnership with Oberthur Technologies, unequivocally the global leader in NFC ecosystems spanning 5 continents, has received global recognition for its role in converging mobile, banking and transport sectors.
The partnership is supported by MasterCard offering the latest evolution in mobile payments, the MasterCard PayPass(TM) platform, permitting Etisalat customers access to over 341,000 MasterCard PayPass-enabled merchant locations globally.
Essa Al Haddad Group Chief Commercial officer, Etisalat Group, stated "Etisalat is committed to harnessing the power of mobile connectivity through innovation to develop products that change people's lives for the better and help to accelerate social and economic development. In the case of Etisalat Mobile Baby it can also save lives and narrow the gender gap. Our focus on mHealth and mCommerce solutions has had an immediate impact in emerging markets where access to healthcare and banking services are limited. These accolades are further endorsement of our focus on delivering innovative technologies that have a transformative effect on people, communities and economies."
Thierry Siminger, Managing Director -- RMEA at Oberthur Technologies, noted that "in order to meet the demand for convergence in mobile and payment industry sectors, our NFC technologies are bridging the gap, allowing our partners to offer consumers an integrated seamless experience in an easy and secure way. We are very proud to be awarded along with Etisalat by GSMA. This award adds to our worldwide momentum of excellence in the field of NFC".
Michael Miebach, president, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, said, "We are proud of this milestone win with Etisalat and Oberthur Technologies, which we believe will positively impact the lives of unbanked and banked consumers across the Middle East and Africa. MasterCard has led the transformation of mobile phones into secure mobile payment devices, providing consumers with quick, secure and convenient payment options. We look forward to working with all players in the mobile payments ecosystem to deliver world class solutions in both developed and emerging markets."
About Estisalat Strong commitment to excellence and innovation has seen Etisalat become one of the world's fastest-growing telecom groups, rapidly expanding across Asia and Africa. Its UAE operations, strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, enables Etisalat to be the major hub in the Middle East for Internet, voice, broadcast, roaming and corporate data services. Etisalat has been recognised as 'Best Operator' 10 times since 2006 and 'Best Wholesale Provider' four times in the last three years. Servicing over 167 million customers in 17 countries Etisalat continues to reach out to new customers and markets.
About MasterCard MasterCard MA +0.13% , www.mastercard.com , is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities -- such as shopping, travelling, running a business and managing finances -- easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog and subscribe for the latest news.
About Oberthur Technologies Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies: systems development, solutions and services for smart cards (payment cards, SIM cards, access cards, NFC...) and for secure identity documents, traditional and electronic (identity card, passport, health care card). Created in 1984, Oberthur Technologies employs 5,700 employees. With 50 sales offices across 5 continents, Oberthur Technologies' international network serves clients in 140 countries. For more information: www.oberthur.com
SOURCE: Oberthur Technologies