Vodafone Qatar has launched one of the world’s first mobile remittance services, which allows customers in Qatar to transfer funds locally and abroad directly from their mobile.

With Vodafone Money Transfer subscribers are able to send money from their mobile to other mobiles in Vodafone Qatar’s network, bank accounts both in Qatar and abroad, along with other mobile and traditional international remittance destinations.

In addition to being able to transfer your money to other mobiles and to certain bank accounts, subscribers can use the funds in your Vodafone Money Transfer account to make and receive payments, to purchase mobile content or services from Vodafone, or to make purchases with registered Vodafone Money Transfer merchants.

When a customer registers for Vodafone Money Transfer, their mobile number is linked to an electronic money (e-money) account. They can then add money to the account or spend money from the account just as you would with an ordinary bank account.
The service requires that you use a PIN number, so even if someone steals your phone they won’t be able to access your money. This means using the service is as secure, for example, as using a debit card with a chip.

While Vodafone manages your account from a technical perspective, the funds themselves will be held in a separate trust. The exact timing and allowable transaction amounts will be subject to decisions by ictQatar and the Qatar Central Bank.

Qatar has a huge migrant population which sees great value in being able to send money home. Vodafone has only recently launched in the country and has seen strong growth in a country previously dominated by Qtel. Qtel has mobile money deployments in other territories.