In a soft launch late last month, Water PNG made an official announcement of the extension of mobile merchant services to NCD customers.
Speaking at the launch, Water PNG Officer In-Charge Parkop Kurua said, “Digital options to pay bills are now available in our markets. As a newly merged entity, we want to reposition our company. Embracing IT based business solutions is where we want to be moving towards.
Our strategic alliance with BSP and adopting the Mobile Merchant service means we are now value-adding our services to our customers. They do not need to stand in long queues or leave work just to pay their bills, saving time and money. We are offering convenience”.
BSP NCD Area Manager, Dennis Lamus, presented at the small launch and assured the water suppliers of the ease of doing business. “Digital Payments make reconciliation a lot easier, secure and efficient.
Merchants do not have to pay to become a BSP Mobile Merchant and it costs customers only 10t per payment for bills via BSP Mobile Banking *131#. Customers can pay as often as they wish without visiting the Water PNG office.
Real-time payments are made directly to the merchants nominated accounts, reducing cash handling, increasing security and efficiency”.
A customer Shirleen Bellem – commended Water PNG for offering a convenient payment method saying, “I like to take a proactive approach when paying my water bills. My line of work does not allow me the luxury of time to stand in line to pay for utility bills.
Having Water PNG as a mobile merchant means I can pay for my bills using my phone instantly and without having to leave the office”.
Customers with BSP Mobile Banking, can simply dial *131# to access mobile banking for FREE, select 4 for payments, follow prompts to enter the merchant code (Water PNG NCD: 490002) and complete the steps to confirm and make payment.
With over 200 customers now paying for water bills via BSP Mobile Banking, we anticipate a growth of 50% toward the end of the year.
Since the start of the year, the impact of extending mobile merchant services to various industries has seen a positive growth of roughly 300% in our channel transaction volumes reflecting how customers are comfortable with this alternate payment option.