Doha, 20 October 2010: Vodafone Qatar announced the successful completion of its Vodafone Money Transfer (VMT) service pilot.  The pilot was a key element in the extensive quality control phase of the VMT launch and an important part of achieving Qatar Central Bank approval prior to a commercial launch.

VMT is a revolutionary new service that will enable Vodafone customers in Qatar to instantly make international money remittances directly from their mobile phone.  This service is a world first and a major milestone not only in mobile telecommunications, but also in improving accessibility of financial services.

The service will appeal to the more than 1 million expatriates living in Qatar who regularly send money overseas. The service is safe, simple, quick and the most convenient way to send money to family overseas.   

"Vodafone is very excited to bring this ground breaking mobile money transfer service to Qatar.  We are sure that it will change the way thousands of our customers send money abroad while saving them time and money," said Grahame Maher, CEO, Vodafone Qatar.

"Once Vodafone Money Transfer launches, it will establish Qatar as a leader in mobile financial services and contribute to Qatar's 2030 vision," continued Grahame Maher

As part of the pilot, 35 Filipino employees working at Vodafone and a local manufacturing company received a portion of their salaries paid via the VMT service.  Pilot users were then able send the money home from their Vodafone mobiles.  Relatives receiving the money were able to get cash instantly using local mobile money partners in the Philippines. 

"The VMT trial was fantastic. Once part of my salary was in my VMT account I sent money to my family back home in the Philippines without having to leave my house. The service also saved me so much time; I didn't have to go through the agony of taxi scheduling or queuing for hours at an exchange house," said Mellany Tiglao, Vodafone's Customer Care Agent.

VMT will be made available to Vodafone Qatar's customers by the start of 2011 in partnership with Doha Bank, Vodafone's financial services provider for VMT. Once the service launches VMT in Qatar, it will be expanding remittance options beyond the Philippines to countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 

To use the service customers need to apply for a VMT account from Vodafone Qatar and money can be loaded onto their mobile phone from any Vodafone store, Doha Bank's e-branches or can be loaded directly via a bank transfer. Once a customer has e-money on their VMT account they can then send abroad anytime they like. Until e-money is transferred or spent it is stored for customers with Doha Bank. This means that customers also have the option to get their e-money cashed out in any Vodafone store or Doha Bank e-branch.

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About Vodafone Money Transfer
Vodafone Money Transfer is available to Vodafone Group and affiliate subscribers in Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Fiji, South Africa and now Qatar.  It is the world's most successful Mobile Money Transfer service with over 19 million customers across 6 countries, and processes transfers over USD$375 million in person to person transactions and over 90 million transactions each month.

Please visit www.vodafone.com/vmt for more details

About Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. ("Vodafone Qatar") is the holder of the Second Public Mobile and Fixed Telecommunications Networks and Services license in the State of Qatar. 

Vodafone Qatar's purpose is to "Make a World of Difference for All People in Qatar" by aiming to become "the most admired company in Qatar."

Please visit www.vodafone.com.qa for more details.

For press enquiries, please contact:
Lana Khachan                                        
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.com

© Press Release 2010