Singapore’s largest telecommunications operator Singtel has expanded its VIA cross-border payments alliance to Japan.
VIA, Asia’s first cross-border mobile payments alliance, in partnership with AIS, Thai digital bank Kasikornbank and Boost Malaysia, has now partnered with Tokyo-based mobile payments technology company NETSTARS, Singtel announced on Monday (March 18).
According to Reutersthe partnership with NETSTARS will enable travelers to make use of their home mobile wallets on Singtel’s VIA network to pay digitally at 100,000 merchants, which include airports, shopping malls, food and beverage outlets, tourist attractions and transportation options across Japan – a preferred location in Southeast Asia.
Singtel is keen to expand beyond its traditional carrier services into areas akin to digital marketing, cybersecurity, mobile payments and video streaming.
Southeast Asia, where a part of the 650 million population lacks access to banking services, is becoming a crowded mobile payments market. Singtel wants to distinguish itself by allowing users to pay with e-wallets outside their home country.
Singtel plans to expand its mobile wallet alliance to India, the Philippines and Indonesia.
“VIA’s continued growth has taken it beyond our partner markets and now beyond telecommunications e-wallets and Southeast Asia,” said Arthur Lang, CEO of the international Singtel Group, Business Times.
Tsuyoshi Ri, CEO of Netstars, added in an announcement: “We are delighted to join the VIA Alliance and work with Singtel to welcome more mobile payment users across Southeast Asia. Together, we will bring convenience to both customers and stores as Netstars expands its store network.”
