Etisalat, ComBank to power mobile banking with USSD technology
Etisalat Sri Lanka has partnered with Commercial Bank to introduce
mobile banking via USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data)
technology, a global system for mobile communication used to send a text
between a mobile phone and an application programme in a network.
Etisalat users can now enjoy the convenience of conducting their
banking activities with Commercial Bank through their mobile phones
while accessing the menu driven USSD portal.
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Etisalat Lanka, Deputy Chief Executive Officer/CFO, Riyaaz
Rasheed, Head of Strategic Planning Analysis, Mahesh
Amarasiri, Asstistant Manager New Business Development, E.A.
Kasun Daminda, Assistant Manager, Media and Research, Hiruni
Mendis and from Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Deputy General
Manager (Operations), S. D. Bandaranayake, Deputy General
Manager (Marketing), Hasrath Munasinghe, Executive Officer-eBanking,
Chaminda Fernando, Chief Manager, eBanking, Pradeep
Banduwansa at the event |
The USSD portal can be accessed by simply dialling #8823#. Once a
customer who is registered with the Bank for this service, dials into
the USSD portal, they simply have to select the required function and
enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) provided by the bank for
authentication and the system makes the desired transaction.
Through this service, Etisalat users who have accounts at Commercial
Bank can make Balance and Credit Card Inquiries, Bill Payments, Fund
Transfers, PIN Changes, Top Up credit on prepaid connections and obtain
Micro Statements.
This service will give users access to a list of essential services
excluding withdrawal and deposit of cash.
Banking via the USSD menu allows users to remotely pay utility bills
without having to wait in queues or physically travel to the bank.
This service enables the reload and bill payments of Etisalat, Water
and Electricity bills in just a few minutes, all through any user's
mobile phone.
This unique service is significantly different from SMS banking
available in Sri Lanka. With SMS banking, a customer/ account holder
must remember or keep record of short codes which are ties to each
banking service. Banking via the USSD portal eliminates the need to
remember short codes as it is a menu driven portal which is hassle free
and easy to access.
Commenting on the launch of this service, Commercial Banks Chief
Manager for e-Banking, Pradeeep Banduwansa said, "We are proud to
partner with Etisalat to give Sri Lankans the power of mobile banking
with USSD technology.
It's a service that aligns with our vision to provide our customers
with technologically advanced and innovative banking solutions. We
understand the time constraints when it comes to business and having to
physically come to the bank to conduct transactions. The service is a
step into the future as Sri Lanka closes in on a technologically
interdependent era. We also offer SMS Banking, ReLoad & Tri-lingual
Mobile Banking facilities to our mutual clients."
Etisalat Head of Strategic Planning, Mahesh Amarasiri speaking about
the launch of banking via USSD said "It's like having a mini-ATM
facility in your phone. Etisalat is proud to offer an innovative service
that will help change the future. We introduced a user-friendly platform
that allows anyone to easily use and conduct transactions without having
to physically be present at the transaction point or having to travel to
the bank".
As one of the most powerful players in Sri Lanka's telecommunications
industry, Etisalat continues to discover new horizons and explore new
possibilities in the domain. Etisalat further offers Sri Lanka's most
cutting-edge Internet solutions with the launch of its DC-HSPA+
technology. |
