Czech operators support mobile payment

Three Czech Republic operators - Telefonica O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone - have set up a joint platform to promote mobile payments, reports Cellular News.

Customers using pre-paid Plat Mobilem (pay by mobile) cards will be able to pay for goods and services using their cellphone, either by sending an SMS or via a payment gateway.

Currently, more than 11% of customers of Czech mobile operators use their mobile phones as a payment tool and over five million transactions are carried out every month.

The Egyptian Ministry of Finance is negotiating with 18 banks to electronically collect all dues from taxes and customs, states Al-Masry Al-Youm.

The move is the region's first step towards electronically collecting government fees.

Ahmed Salem al-Baz, adviser to the minister of finance and president of the Electronic Government Collection and Payment Unit, says the electronic payment system prevents corruption, decreases cash circulation and limits inflation.

Thomson Reuters has purchased electronic billing services company Serengeti Law for an undisclosed amount, says Tech Flash.

The business will be combined with Thomson Reuters' corporate, government and academic business, with Serengeti's Tom Melling, the former VP of product management, serving as president of the new unit.

“Joining Thomson Reuters is a natural next step in growing the Serengeti platform and expanding its international network of users,” says Melling.