In a move aimed at reaching the largest sector of society, Fastlink has expanded its cooperation with Jordanian banks, signing recently an agreement with the Jordan National Bank under which the two sides would provide customers with modern banking services through the mobile phone.
The move came as the mobile industry has been witnessing major developments, namely in the area of data communications and mobile marketing, according to Faisal Mujahed, of the Data Dept. at Fastlink.
Mobile banking is a supplementary service, providing customers with a flexible means to stay updated on their bank accounts through the mobile phone. In addition to updated information, the solution provides customers with 8 different instant banking services in addition to the SMS service, which prompts users on transactions via live transmission of information on the mobile. Banks also use the mobile to send news and promotional alerts to customers, on demand, with up to 14 services available through this means of communication.
The agreement is expected to benefit both Fastlink and the Jordan National Bank customers, offering electronic interaction between customers and their bank anywhere they are, says Mujahed. He added that Fastlink, the first provider in the Middle East to provide mobile banking, is proud of its partnerships with the various financial institutions and looks to sign similar agreements with other banks.
The Jordan National Bank has launched the multi channel electronic service in hopes to strengthen its customer base and offer a variety of products through accessible means. The upgrade also aims to reach new sectors of society.
Fastlink, a member of MTC Group, hopes to spread awareness among the Jordanian public of the benefits of data communications and the role such services play in facilitating people’s lives and boosting the business sector.
Fastlink, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, adopts an ambitious strategy based on being in the lead to provide innovative advanced services and high tech solutions to the public in Jordan and the Region.
About Fastlink
Jordan Mobile Telephone Services Company Ltd. “Fastlink”, founded in 1995, was the first operator to introduce mobile phone services into Jordan. In just a few years, the company earned its reputation as the most progressive telecom operator in the region in terms of competitiveness and readiness to adopt new technologies and deploy cutting-edge services. Since its inception, Fastlink has tallied subscriber growth at an exponential rate, with the number of users currently exceeding 1,400 million subscribers. Through more than 1,700 cell sites, Fastlink covers the entire populated area of the Kingdom. In January 2003, Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C. (MTC) acquired Fastlink in what was considered the largest single acquisition in the Middle East area, and the largest private sector investment in Jordan.
MTC Group
Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) was founded in 1983 and today is one of the largest mobile operators in the Middle East and Africa, with more than 9.5 million customers in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and 13 countries in Africa. MTC is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.
In September 2002, MTC entered into a Partner Network Agreement with Vodafone, the world’s leading mobile community, in Kuwait creating MTC Vodafone Kuwait. In 2003 MTC continued its expansion with the acquisition of 96.4% of Fastlink in Jordan.
MTC’s aspiration did not slow down and in 2003 MTC-Vodafone Bahrain was launched with the first 3G/EDGE nationwide network in the world. In 2004 the MTC Atheer service was launched in Southern Iraq, and today covers Baghdad as well.
2004 also witnessed the government of Lebanon handing over the management of one of two mobile networks (Mic2) to the MTC Group, which is known now as mtc touch.
