Johannesburg, 20 Oct 2014
VCS has implemented a USSD-based service where consumers who have a mobile phone and a bank card (credit and debit) are able to transact via mobile.
The mobile service works via consumers dialling a short code (*174#) and they are presented with a menu where they can select their merchant of choice to pay.
The thinking behind the service was that the USSD protocol presents an opportunity for online payments given the ubiquitous GSM footprint and the high penetration of cellphones in the Botswana market which currently stands at around 120% while the signal footprint covers more than 85% of the populated areas i.e cities, towns and villages.
The GSM footprint therefore enables the digital inclusion of those citizens that do not have internet access to pay merchants and government services via the mobile phone.
The transactions are acquired by FNB Botswana and recently, the service has received an award as the best innovation within the FNB Group for 2014.
The strength of the service is primarily that it allows both FNBB and Non FNBB card holders to transact via 174. In addition, the service has grown phenomenally because VCS has also implemented realtime interfaces into the enterprise systems for the respective merchants listed under 174.
Services are rendered realtime once a consumer pays via 174. For example in the case of DStv, a customer who was disconnected can be reconnected in less than two minutes if the authorisation is approved.
The service also allows for the purchase of prepaid electricity vouchers where the token in question is delivered to the consumer's phone by SMS in a matter of seconds.
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