The Western Union, a global money transfer services firm, and Maxis Communications Berhad (Maxis), a Malaysia-based mobile communications service provider, are working together to launch a service that would allow Maxis subscribers to send cross-border remittances directly from their mobile phones. The service is expected to be rolled out in early 2010.
The Western Union expects that with the launch of the service, more than 11 million Maxis subscribers in Malaysia will be able to send funds from their mobile phones. The recipient will be able to pick up the funds in cash at more than 345,000 Western Union agent locations in 200 countries.
Claire Featherstone, head of m-commerce of Maxis, said: “With this service, our customers will be able to send money to almost anywhere in the world from their mobile phones, from wherever they are in Malaysia and at any time.”
Matt Dill, senior vice president and head, Western Union Digital Ventures, said: “International immigrants living in Malaysia send money home to loved ones around the world anywhere from five to 15 times a year. This segment of the population also has high mobile phone penetration rates – more than 90% for all migrant groups. By combining these two trends – enabling migrants to send money across borders to their loved ones with just the touch of a button – we can bring the power of Western Union directly to Maxis subscribers.”
