Digicel Mobile Money has removed all transaction fees to help get money back to Samoa and Fiji quickly to assist with rebuilding efforts in cyclone damaged Islands

Apia, Samoa – Tuesday 18th January 2013,

As Samoa and Fiji reel in the wake of Cyclone Evan, Digicel has removed all transfer fees to enable families to send more money home. In addition there will be no cash out fees until further notice. By visiting an agent or by using digicelmobilemoney.com, family and friends in Australia and New Zealand can send money home from their bank account to a mobile phone in Samoa or Fiji. The money can then be withdrawn at a large number of Digicel Mobile Money agents across the nations and used in rebuilding and relief efforts.

Speaking from Apia today Digicel Samoa CEO Pepe Christian Fruean expressed his deepest heartfelt sympathies “our thoughts and prayers are with all the communities affected both here in Samoa and in Fiji. We would like to assure them that Digicel stands ready to assist where possible, we have already set up charging stations in Apia and our teams are assisting with the clean-up efforts. The situation on the ground here is quite bad and both Samoa and Fiji need outside assistance to help get back on our feet. We hope that removing the transfer fees for international remittances gives Pacific Island families living abroad a way to get money home quickly to their families”.

With Digicel Mobile Money transfers quick and land directly on any Digicel phone in Samoa or Fiji, then the recipient can visit any Digicel Mobile Money Agent to collect their money. Provided the sender has money in their online account or transfers over the counter at one of the 23 Digicel Mobile Money Agents in New Zealand, these transfers will arrive in minutes to Samoa or Fiji. For the receivers in Samoa there are more than 40 Digicel Mobile Money Agents and in Fiji there are over 50 Agents, including the main Digicel stores where money can be collected with no withdrawal charge. Recipients can also Top Up, transfer money locally or pay bills from their Digicel mobile.

Head of Digicel Mobile Financial Service Annie Smith says, “Digicel is committed to helping the people of Fiji and Samoa and we are pleased to be able to assist by removing our money transfer fee making it easier for friends and family abroad to assist with the rebuilding efforts”.

Ms Smith added “in addition approximately 800,000 WST in call credit was donated to Digicel customers in cyclone affected areas of Samoa over the past five days to assist with emergency communications. Our thoughts are with the affected communities and we hope that our gesture has assisted them in communicating with loved ones locally and internationally”.

For more information on Digicel Mobile Money services visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

For more information on agent locations, international money transfers or bill payments to Tonga please visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

Digicel continues to transform the remittance market in the Pacific with the release of a smart phone app that enables customers to send international transfers from their own mobile phone directly to Digicel mobiles in the Pacific

Auckland, New Zealand – 15th January 2013,

Leading Pacific mobile provider Digicel today announced the latest innovation from Digicel Mobile Money. The international payments service now enables customers living in New Zealand, Australia and the UK to make transfers from outside the home using a new smart phone application. Digicel says that the new mobile app provides customers a new level of service and means payments are now possible from anywhere there is mobile coverage. The app also enables bill payments for schools and utilities in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji directly from a smart phone.

The application is available now to download for Android and iPhone devices. The new service features a fast-access 5 digit PIN, account history, exchange rate lookup, integrated KYC upload capability, and the new bill payments functionality. The app also integrates with the customers’ mobile contacts, which means that senders select recipients directly within the app. The integrated contacts feature is designed to further reduce the transaction time for customers.

Digicel has added various new features to improve the Mobile Money service this year including the introduction of fingerprint ID terminals in New Zealand stores, and an NFC-based point of sale network in Tonga earlier this year. Regional Commercial Director for Digicel Asia Pacific, Darren McLean said “when we launched Digicel Mobile Money we set out to deliver a service that really made a difference to peoples’ lives by saving them both time and money. Our international payments service is only 12 months old but is already serving thousands of customers each month. Customers can now easily make payments to family and friends when they are away from a computer or can’t make it to one of our stores.”

Digicel says that the changing needs of customers and the explosion of smart phones are leading to increased popularity of online and mobile applications for payments. Mr McLean continued: “we are delighted that we have been able to deliver an app that supports international payments to the Pacific at a time and place that works for our customers. We know that our service has already transformed how many people send money home. We plan to keep building on that.”

Digicel Mobile Money enables international money transfers, top ups and bill payments to Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. To make payments or send top up customers register online for free at www.digicelmobilemoney.com. The service is fast, easy to use and the best value way of sending money home. In addition to the online service and mobile application, customers in New Zealand can also use Digicel Mobile Money services at stores across the country. The payments services have been developed in cooperation with New Zealand payments provider KlickEx.

For more information on Digicel Mobile Money services visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

For more information on agent locations, international money transfers or bill payments to Tonga please visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

Digicel’s ‘Beep and Go’ service in the Kingdom of Tonga revolutionising the world of mobile payments

Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga – November 29th 2012,

While operators in major markets like the UK and the USA experiment with programmes using smart phones and credit cards, a small Pacific nation was propelled into the spotlight as a global leader in mobile payments earlier this month when Digicel triumphed at the Connected World Forum, winning the award for Best NFC Deployment for its ‘Beep and Go’ service.

Launched in the Kingdom of Tonga in July, ‘Beep and Go’ is the world’s first fully inclusive payments network linking NFC point-of-sale (POS) terminals to mobile money wallets across the nation.

The Pacific nation is home to 105,000 people with significant ties to Australia, New Zealand and the USA and is heavily dependent on private remittances. In a developing economy where credit card and bank account penetration is low and very few people have smart phones, Digicel’s service in Tonga is now recognised as a unique deployment of mobile-based NFC payments services. Any customer with a Digicel phone can receive international payments direct to their mobile and can then make purchases at over 150 retail stores across the Kingdom. Customers simply tap their mobile on an NFC-enabled POS terminal and enter their secure PIN to complete their transactions.

The Digicel service uses contactless stickers inside the device which have been specifically designed to provide reliable transactions no matter what Digicel mobile phone is used. These contactless stickers give current customers the possibility to use mobile phones to make payments while waiting for NFC handsets to reach critical mass.

The Connected World Forum is the world's leading event dedicated to mobile value added services (VAS). With over 1,000 leading experts focused on launching and scaling profitable Mobile Lifeline services, the Connected World Forum is considered the best place to discover the latest developments in mobile money, mobile health, mobile education, mobile agriculture and other mobile lifeline services.

Darren McLean, Regional Commercial Director at Digicel Asia-Pacific, said; “We are delighted with the award and recognition for the role Digicel is playing in helping to transform the Tongan economy. Financial inclusion is important in the Pacific and ‘Beep and Go’ is driving a major increase in the use of our Mobile Money services. The service is supporting local businesses across the Kingdom and Tonga is clearly at the forefront of innovation not just in the Pacific, but across the world.”

Avid Digicel Mobile Money user, Tupou Riechelmann, commented on the benefits of the ‘Beep and Go’ service; “Many Tongans rely on money transfers from within the Kingdom or from relatives in Australia and New Zealand. Now with Digicel Mobile Money, Tongans can receive transfers or deposit money and then use ‘Beep and Go’ to pay for their food, petrol, restaurant bills and to buy goods at stores. It’s fast and simple to use and has made shopping and paying for things an absolute breeze. For me, it really is a smarter way to pay.”

For more information on Digicel Mobile Money services visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com Or watch the ‘Beep and Go’ TV commercial

For more information on agent locations, international money transfers or bill payments to Tonga please visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

Digicel Tonga this week announced a new bill pay feature of the popular Digicel Mobile Money service to help Tongans living in New Zealand or Australia support their families back home

Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga – September 3rd 2012, Digicel Tonga this week announced international School Fee payments, the latest addition to the Digicel Mobile Money portfolio of bill payment services. The new service enables friends and relatives living in New Zealand and Australia to pay bills directly on behalf of subscribers in Tonga. The Bill Payment feature is available for 15 schools across the Kingdom, with more to be added over the coming weeks.

Digicel Mobile Money international bill payments can be made online at www.digicelmobilemoney.com using a bank transfer or credit card. Payments made for school fees in Tonga land directly into the Mobile Money account of the school within minutes. The new service is a fast, simple and safe way to directly help families in Tonga. In addition to the online service customers in New Zealand can also avail of Digicel Mobile Money services at a large number of stores in Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch.

The Council of Directors for Education Systems in Tonga Chairman, Rev. 'Alifeleti 'Atiola commented, "The Council endorses this new initiative by Digicel Mobile Money for school fees and we encourage all schools to take part”. Annie Smith, Head of Mobile Financial Services for Digicel Pacific added, “we know that many families depend on international payments and customers are looking for better services to give them control of how they send money home. So we focused on expanding Digicel’s Mobile Money service to provide an efficient, innovative way for Tongans overseas to pay bills such as school fees directly for their family at a low cost. Tongans in New Zealand and Australia can now be even more involved with supporting families with our new bill pay service”.

Digicel has made significant enhancements to the Mobile Money service in recent months, adding new features to benefit customers. Recently Digicel Tonga made headlines being the first country in the world to introduce a commercial near field communication (NFC) payments solution that does not require a bank account, credit card or smart phone, placing Tonga well ahead of established countries like the USA and UK. The Beep & Go service enables subscribers in Tonga to receive overseas payments directly onto their mobile, and spend the funds at over 150 store locations in the Kingdom.

Digicel Mobile Money turns a subscriber’s mobile phone into a wallet, enabling them to receive remittances, store money, send money to each other, pay bills and top up with airtime. Last year Digicel launched an online extension to the service to enable customers in New Zealand and Australia to instantly send money home to Tonga, Samoa and Fiji using online banking.

For more information on agent locations, international money transfers or bill payments to Tonga please visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

Digicel Fiji announced today a new bill pay feature of Digicel Mobile Money to help Fijians living in New Zealand or Australia support their families at home

Suva, Fiji – August 21st 2012, Digicel Fiji today announced International Bill Payments, the latest feature of Digicel Mobile Money. The new feature enables friends and relatives living in New Zealand and Australia to pay bills directly on behalf of subscribers in Fiji. The new Bill Payment feature is available for Digicel Postpaid, Water Authority of Fiji, Unwired, Housing Authority of Fiji, Fiji Electricity Authority, Sky Pacific, and BSP Insurance.

Digicel International Bill Payments can be made online at www.digicelmobilemoney.com using a bank transfer or credit card. Payments made for bills in Fiji land directly into the Mobile Money account of the supplier within minutes. The new service is quick, simple to use and is a safe way to directly help families in Fiji. In addition to the online service customers in New Zealand can also avail of Digicel Mobile Money services at a large number of stores in Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch.

Digicel continues to keep families and friends connected using their Pacific network. Annie Smith, Head of Mobile Financial Services for Digicel Pacific commented “We know that family is very important to the people in the Fiji. Many families depend on international remittances from New Zealand and Australia and customers were looking for better services to give them control of how they send money home. So we focused on expanding Digicel’s Mobile Money service to provide an efficient, innovative way for Fijian’s overseas to pay bills directly for their family at a low cost. With Digicel Mobile Money, Fijians now pay less to transfer money and can now be more involved with supporting families with our new bill pay service”.

Digicel Pacific is continuously adding new features to improve their service. Recently Digicel Tonga made headlines being the first country in the world to introduce a commercial near field communication (NFC) payments solution that does not require a bank account, credit card or smart phone, placing Tonga well ahead of established countries like the USA and UK. The Beep and Go service enables subscribers in Tonga to receive overseas payments directly onto the mobile, and spend the funds at over 150 store locations in the Kingdom.

Digicel Mobile Money (DMM) turns a subscriber’s mobile phone into a wallet, enabling them to receive remittances, store money, send money to each other, pay bills and top up with airtime. Last year Digicel launched an online extension to the service to enable customers in New Zealand and Australia to instantly send money home to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga using online banking.

For more information on agent locations, international money transfers or bill payments to Fiji please visit www.digicelmobilemoney.com

Digicel Pacific today set a new standard for Money Transfers in the Pacific with the introduction of the first integrated point-of-sale (POS) to mobile wallet solution to use fingerprint technology

Auckland, New Zealand – June 18th 2012, Digicel Pacific Limited, a mobile network operator across the Pacific and a division of the Digicel Group, announced today it is deploying biometric enabled payment systems into stores in New Zealand to offer its Digicel Mobile Money customers a more convenient way to send money home to the Pacific.

The new system enables customers sending money home to register just once and record their fingerprint as permanent identification within the Digicel system. From that point on, existing customers simply scan their fingerprint at the VeriFone terminal to retrieve their details and make a new transaction - even if they registered at another store.

Regulators in New Zealand require that photo ID is recorded each time an international money transfer is made in order to satisfy Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. The new fingerprint technology avoids the need for customers to provide identification each time they transact which means no forms to fill in and less time spent at the counter.

Darren McLean, Regional Commercial Director at Digicel Pacific, said “KYC is an important requirement, but it takes time and means that customers must bring photo ID with them every time they want to send money. We set out to deliver a service that dramatically improved the speed and convenience for our customers and I am delighted that we have achieved our objective. Our new service is now the fastest way to send money to the Pacific.”

“When you add in Bill Payments, Top Up, the speed and the lowest send money fees in the market, we have a very smart product that addresses a real need in the community. This month we also provided shops in Tonga with VeriFone contactless payment terminals so families can use their transfers instantly to buy groceries, pay bills, or top up – they don’t have to travel to get their money out anymore. We believe our service will completely transform how our customers send money home,” he continued.

Digicel Mobile Money (DMM) is a service in use in five countries in the Pacific. It turns a subscriber’s mobile phone into a wallet, enabling them to store money, send money to each other, pay bills and top up with airtime. Last year Digicel launched a web-based extension to the service to enable customers in New Zealand and Australia to instantly send money home to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Earlier this month Digicel announced that it had partnered with VeriFone mWallet to introduce Beep and Go, the world’s first fully inclusive NFC service in the Kingdom of Tonga. Using NFC tags linked to mobile numbers and contactless payment devices, Digicel customers are able to pay for goods with a simple tap of their phone at 50 merchants in the capital of Nuku’alofa.

Sending money home to family in the Pacific Islands just got even cheaper, with Digicel extending their offer of just $1 for international transfers to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Mobile Money is quick and simple to use, with people able to transfer money directly via their online bank account or credit card to any Digicel mobile in Fiji, Samoa or Tonga.

Digicel has more than 300 participating stores and service agents through the Pacific Islands so people in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga can use the money sent from family in New Zealand or Australia to withdraw cash, buy food and household goods, pay bills and buy or send Digicel Top Up credit.

Digicel recently made the Mobile Money service available in 6 retail location in South Auckland, with more locations planned this year. Retail transfers will reduce to $5 for the promotional period.

This offer won’t last so please take advantage of it while it’s here.

Nuku’alofa, Tonga – May 14th, 2012, Digicel today launched an innovative addition to its Digicel Mobile Money service offering which sees customers in Tonga being able to pay for goods and services through any mobile phone using NFC technology – and without the need for a bank account or credit card.

With around 60% of the Tongan population not having bank accounts (according to a 2011 report from Wireless Intelligence), credit card penetration even lower and smart phones still a luxury item Digicel says the new service is unique in terms of being fully inclusive because it is accessible from any type of mobile phone and unique in that the contactless POS payments service is fully integrated with a mobile wallet and is not card-backed.

Available initially with 50 merchants in the capital of Nuku’alofa, plans are in place to extend the service right across the island. The new service is a result of a partnership between Digicel and Verifone mWallet and sees the first use of Near Field Communications (NFC) with Mobile Wallet services in the region.

NFC is a set of standards for smart phones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few centimetres.

In this case, Digicel and Verifone are deploying an NFC-enabled merchant payments solution which uses NFC tags linked to mobile numbers and to contactless POS devices supplied by Verifone - meaning that rather than just being limited to smart phone users, any mobile phone subscriber can use the service.

With a large proportion of families in Tonga relying on International Remittances from Australia, New Zealand and the USA, Digicel is constantly looking for new ways to ensure that money transfers and payments can be facilitated as quickly, securely and economically as possible. As such, this latest service follows the introduction of International Money Transfers direct to Mobile Wallets by Digicel late last year where customers in New Zealand can instantly send money online to subscribers in the Pacific for much lower costs than using the services of the traditional operators like Western Union and banks.

Darren McLean, Commercial Director at Digicel Pacific, said, “International remittances play a vital role in the economies of the Pacific. The level of convenience, lower cost and easy authentication provided by Digicel and VeriFone will transform the way our customers receive, manage and spend their money in this region.

He continues; “We don’t think this has been done anywhere before. Combining our existing Mobile Money product with VeriFone mWallet services and NFC terminals helps us offer our subscribers an easy, convenient and integrated mobile money experience. We think this will open the way to making Mobile Money the everyday means of payment in our Pacific markets – from groceries, airtime top-up and utility bills, through to wages and government payments.”

Digicel has rolled out the new solution to the wider business district in Tonga’s capital Nuku'alofa. In the coming months, hundreds more contactless VeriFone payment terminals will be installed in the region and Digicel plans to introduce International Bill Payments and other new services to its unique payments system in the near future.

The next generation payments solution is the result of a partnership between Digicel, Verifone mWallet, and New Zealand-based currency exchange company, KlickEx. Digicel Mobile Money is supported by UNDP, PFIP and AusAid.

Apia, Samoa Sending money home to family in the Pacific Islands just got even cheaper, with Digicel offering a rate of just $1 for international transfers to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Digicel Pacific Commercial Director Darren McLean made the announcement in Apia today and explained that Mobile Money service is clearly the best value way to send money to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. “With a flat fee of just $1 for each transaction for a limited time, Digicel is highlighting its commitment to making money transfer services more affordable and easily accessible to customers in the Pacific Islands.”

“The majority of people in the Pacific Islands do not have personal bank accounts, so an international money transfer to a “mobile wallet” is a safe and convenient way to transfer money. Some money operators are charging $25 to send money, so our low transaction fee also means more money is making it home,” he added.

Mobile Money is quick and simple to use, with people able to transfer money directly via their online bank account or credit card to any Digicel mobile in Fiji, Samoa or Tonga. Registration is free at www.digicelmobilemoney.com.

Digicel has more than 300 participating stores and service agents through the Pacific Islands so people in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga can use the money sent from family in New Zealand or Australia to withdraw cash, buy food and household goods, pay bills and buy or send Digicel Top Up credit. Digicel recently made the Mobile Money service available in 6 retail location in South Auckland, with more locations planned this year. Retail transfers will reduce to $5 for the promotional period.

Digicel, the Pacific Islands’ biggest mobile service provider, launched its innovative international money transfer service in New Zealand and Australia last October.

Digicel Fiji today announced that all Send Money fees for its new international money transfer service would be zero rated until further notice to assist Fijian families getting money into the country. Payments from friends and families in New Zealand and Australia are desperately needed to assist in relief efforts since record breaking floods have struck large parts of the country this week.

The heavy rainfall over the past few weeks and reports of a low pressure system over the group has seen the Western Division in major floods for the past two days. Nadi Town, Ba Town and Rakiraki and their surrounding areas are experiencing the worst of the weather. Residents, businesses and farmers in these areas have experienced major damage to their property, while schools in affected areas also remain closed due to the conditions.

Digicel offers some relief to the flood ravaged areas by removing the costs of international transfers to all Digicel customers across Fiji. Using www.digicelmobilemoney.com family and friends in Australia and New Zealand can send money home directly from their bank account to a mobile phone in Fiji and pay zero fees to send the money. Digicel confirmed today that already thousands of Pacific people have benefited from the new low cost service.

The international payments service was launched in October 2011 and allows senders in New Zealand and Australia to instantly remit cash directly to the mobile phone of their relatives in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The funds arrive in minutes onto the Digicel phone in Fiji and the recipient can visit any ANZ, BSP or Westpac branch to collect the money or pay their bills with FEA, Unwired, Water Authority and other billers. They can also Top Up or transfer money domestically all from their Digicel phone.

Digicel Fiji spokesperson Joji Fatiaki says, “Digicel is committed to helping the people during these times and we are pleased to be able to assist by removing our Send Money fee making it easier for friends and family abroad to assist with the rebuilding efforts”.

Mr Fatiaki added “if however the recipient doesn’t have a Digicel phone, a new SIM or phone can be purchased so that the money can be received and accessed quickly. In addition, Digicel will also be providing charging stations for mobiles that need charging at their Nadi, Ba and Tavua outlets.”

Transfers can be made by visiting www.digicelmobilemoney.com.

Digicel Pacific takes a stand against Pacific remittance costs with the launch of Digicel Mobile Money - a ground breaking service developed to significantly reduce the cost and improve the convenience of sending money to the Pacific Islands

A revolutionary service for Pacific Island remittances has been launched in Australia by Digicel Pacific. The service offers an alternative method for the people of the Pacific to send money from Australia to their families in Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. With a flat fee of just AU$4 Digicel’s Mobile Money service ensures more money makes it into the hands of family and friends back home. The service is quick and simple to use and allows people to send money direct to any Digicel mobile phone in the three countries simply by visiting www.digicelmobilemoney.com.

This news comes just days after Kevin Rudd and the Australian Government committed funding to assist with the reduction in Pacific remittance costs. Digicel’s new service signals a major innovation in the money transfer market with a low cost service that offers a safer and more direct method to transfer money. No bank account is required by the recipient and access to the money is more convenient than ever. Money on the phone can be used as a mobile wallet to buy food and household goods, pay bills, buy or send Digicel Top Up credit, or withdraw cash – and purchases and cash withdrawals can be made at over 300 participating stores and service agents throughout the Pacific Islands.

The service has been live New Zealand since October 6th and is now on offer for the thousands of Australian households with friends and family in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Since its launch large numbers of customers across New Zealand and the Pacific have experienced the benefits of Digicel Mobile Money. Digicel customers in the Pacific have been using mobile wallets for domestic transactions since last year but this is the first time in the Pacific that international money transfers are possible via the internet and direct to a mobile wallet. The service operates in the three Pacific markets with plans already underway to expand the offering to all Digicel Pacific countries.

“Thanks to our extensive Pacific network, established retail footprint and proud track record of reducing the cost of mobile services, Digicel is uniquely positioned to offer a real alternative to the traditional bricks and mortar-based remittance models. With some money transfer operators charging up to 20% per transaction, our aim is to make mobile money services available and accessible to all,” says Vanessa Slowey, CEO of Digicel Pacific.

Ms Slowey continues “With over 300 service agents throughout Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, we already have more locations than any money transfer operators, making it easier for Pacific communities to receive money from their families living and working in Australia safely and securely. We are delighted with the success of the product in New Zealand and are pleased that we can now extend a great value alternative for Pacific people to remit money from Australia” she said.

The new Mobile Money service complements ongoing initiatives to introduce competition and lower remittance fees by the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AusAid, New Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Island Affairs and Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as the World Bank and the Pacific Financial Inclusion Fund.

“International remittances are a major source of financial security for households across the Pacific and a major contributor to economic activity in many countries. Making remittances cheaper, more convenient and faster will make a big difference in the lives of Pacific Islanders and we are happy to work with Digicel and its partners in this effort,” says Tillman Bruett, Financial Inclusion Advisor and Project Manager, Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme.

Digicel Mobile Money international transfers are the result of a collaboration between Digicel Pacific Limited and KlickEx, a New Zealand based company specialising in online currency exchange services.

Digicel Mobile Money will change the way Pacific Islanders send money

Auckland, New Zealand, 6 October, 2011 - A groundbreaking low cost international remittance service was today unveiled by Digicel Pacific. Offering an innovative, alternative method for the people of the Pacific to send money to their families in Tonga, Fiji and Samoa, Digicel’s Mobile Money service ensures more money makes it home and into the hands of friends and family and costs a flat fee of just NZ$3.

The service is quick and simple to use with people in New Zealand being able to send money direct to any Digicel mobile phone in the three countries simply by visiting www.digicelmobilemoney.com

The innovative service is a safer and more convenient method to transfer money with no bank account required by the recipient. Money on the phone can be used as a mobile wallet to buy food and household goods, pay bills, buy or send Digicel Top Up credit, or withdraw cash – and purchases and cash withdrawals can be made at over 300 participating stores and service agents throughout the Pacific Islands.

Digicel customers in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji have been using mobile wallets for domestic transactions; but this is the first time in the Pacific that international money transfers are possible via the internet and direct to a mobile wallet. The service will initially launch in the three markets with plans already underway to expand the offering to all Digicel Pacific countries.

“Thanks to our extensive Pacific network, established retail footprint and proud track record of reducing the cost of mobile services, Digicel is uniquely positioned to offer a real alternative to the traditional bricks and mortar-based remittance models. With some money transfer operators charging up to 20% per transaction, our aim is to make mobile money services available and accessible to all,” says Vanessa Slowey, CEO of Digicel Pacific.

She continues; “With over 300 service agents throughout Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, we already have more locations than any money transfer operators, making it easier for Pacific communities to receive money from their families living and working in New Zealand safely and securely.”

The new Mobile Money service complements ongoing initiatives to introduce competition and lower remittance fees by New Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Island Affairs and Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as AusAid, the World Bank and the Pacific Financial Inclusion Fund.

“International remittances are a major source of financial security for households across the Pacific and a major contributor to economic activity in many countries. Making remittances cheaper, more convenient and faster will make a big difference in the lives of Pacific Islanders and we are happy to work with Digicel and its partners in this effort,” says Tillman Bruett, Financial Inclusion Advisor and Project Manager, Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme.

Digicel Mobile Money international transfers are the result of a collaboration between Digicel Pacific Limited and KlickEx, a New Zealand-developed online currency exchange platform.

July 21st 2011 – Digicel Samoa announces World Cup Fever Winner

Digicel’s XV World Cup team is starting to take form with the telco naming its Number-8 yesterday.

Pre-paid customer Tuaena Lomano Paulo has joined the forwards to cheer on the Manu Samoa players in their bid for World Cup glory.

The lucky winner said he still can’t believe he has won.

“To win a prize like this for simply topping up my credit through phone2phone is amazing,” he says.

“Seki a Digicel!”

Tuaena will take his place alongside the other winners this September in New Zealand for the main event.

“I am so lucky. I thought it would be great just to watch the World Cup on the TV at home,” says Tuaena.

“But thanks to Digicel I now have a return airfare to NZ, two match tickets and NZ$2000 spending money.

“I cannot believe I get to watch the Manu Samoa live in action.”

Digicel’s Special Projects Manager Toalepai Waikato Fatu congratulated Tuaena on behalf of the company.

“He is defiantly a welcome addition to our team,” he says.

“World Cup fever is gripping rugby fans around the globe and Digicel Samoa is happy to spread the fever.

“Although Tuanea may be the ‘last man down’, we cannot wait to see who will fill the remaining seven positions in our Digicel XV World Cup team.”

Toalepai says there are seven more spots left on the team.

“We have four pre-paid positions, one more Post-paid spot and two more Digicel Mobile Money places left for customers who make a minimum $10 transaction,” he says.

So for your chance to cheer on the Manu Samoa live stay connected with the Bigger, Better Network.

June 15th 2011 – Digicel Samoa gives to NPF

Samoan NPF contributors are the real winners today with Digicel paying $1.15 million tala in interest to SNPF investment CSL Mobile Ltd.

SNPF CEO Faumuina Esther Lameko Poutoa accepted the cheque on behalf of CSL Mobile Limited at the Digicel Samoa Vaimea office.

She says this payment shows how SNPF investments benefit the Samoan labour force as a whole.

“It goes to show the Samoan contributors can trust SNPF with their money.”

“We have invested in a business that now has a proven track record of giving greater returns to the Samoan working public.”

Faumuina says CSL Moblie Ltd wisely invested with a 20 per cent shareholding in Digicel almost five years ago.

“Not only has CSL received its investment back almost in full, they will continue to receive money through their shares which will be returned to SNPF.

“We are proud of our involvement with both these companies.”

Digicel CEO Pepe Christian Fruean says this payment is another example of how Digicel is giving back to the community.

“Four and a half years ago we started out on a journey with CSL Mobile Ltd,” he says.

“And we are proud of our continued involvement with them.

“Here at Digicel we truly believe in local investment.

“And as you can see by investing locally SNPF contributing members are the real winners.”

To support local investment stay connected to Samoa’s Bigger, Better Network!

April 8th 2011 – Digicel supports the Samoa Special Olympics Team

Friday 8th April, Vaimea; Digicel, Major Sponsor for Special Olympic Samoa has announced their annual support for the organisation in a press conference held on Friday at Digicel’s Head Quarters.

Digicel CEO Pepe Christian Fruean made the announcement saying in addition to their $40,000 annual sponsorship this year, Digicel are giving an extra $80,000 to SO Samoa to pay for the eight athletes airfares to Athens to attend the games.

“Special Olympics Samoa is very dear to our hearts and when it came to light that airfares to the World Games had to be funded by each organization, Digicel saw it as an opportunity to assist and ensure our Special Olympics athletes would make it to the games.”

From the initiation of SO Samoa, Digicel have been a major supporter of all things Special Olympics. They’ve provided assistance in terms of cash, resources for many events, staff volunteers for monthly games, merchandise and training gear for athletes and much more. Digicel plan to carry this support through to the World Games and beyond.

Present at the Press Conference was the new interim National Director, Sala Perive Lene, members of the SO Samoa Board and all eight athletes who expressed their sincere gratitude for the sponsorship.

“It’s important to showcase the abilities of these intellectually disabled people and Digicel have helped facilitate this by ensuring the athletes are financially able to attend and compete in the World Games this year” stated Sala. “We can breathe easy knowing the airfares have been paid which gives us more time to concentrate on other preparations towards the games.”

The athletes have been diligent in keeping up their training regime and will take to the skies in June this year in their bid to bring back gold from the games.

Digicel’s involvement in the community is not only evident through their support of SO Samoa but also through the Digicel Medical Outreach program and more.

Pepe concluded the press conference by saying “There needs to be a balance in all things, and with Digicel being a large commercial company we find this balance in physical, financial and emotional support for our people and our community.”

March 8th 2011 - Digicel Mobile Money Launch

Digicel Samoa today launches a ground breaking service to our customers “Digicel Mobile Money”, offering all Digicel Customers the ability to transfer money, top up mobile credit for friends and family using their mobiles.

The innovative service will see Digicel mobile phones become electronic wallets, offering customers a convenient and secure way to transfer money or credit, pay Digicel post paid bills, self top-up, send top-up and lodge or withdraw cash from their electronic wallets. While most of the services are conducted directly from the convenience of your Digicel mobile phone, customers will perform deposits and withdrawals at select Digicel Locations and authorised Digicel Mobile Money Agents across Upolu and Savaii. The announcement follows the completion of a series of focus groups and then comprehensive live trials of the service, which included real-time testing of Samoa wide Mobile Money transfers, as well as deposit and withdrawal transactions by customers.

The “Digicel Mobile Money” service has been developed with the support of the Central Bank of Samoa, the United Nations Pacific Financial Inclusion Fund (PFIP) and the GSM Association (GSMA) Customers who wish to register for the service simply need to dial *888# from their Digicel phone and follow the prompts.

Digicel has already successfully launched this product in Fiji, Tonga and now Samoa, with the rest of the Pacific is set to follow suit.

Pepe Christian Fruean, CEO Digicel Samoa, says, “We believe that the development of Digicel Money will be hugely significant for our customers in Samoa. When you consider the number of people who do not have access to basic financial services Digicel Money will transform the way our customers receive, handle and transfer money and pay bills. We are very grateful to the Central Bank of Samoa, the PFIP and the GSMA for their support and assistance in the development of this project and we can look forward, together, to the positive impact of Mobile Money for communities here in Samoa.”

Digicel Money received financial and technical support from the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) as part of the UNDP. Tillman Bruett, Technical Advisor of the UNDP’s PFIP said, “This is a very important step in bringing access to safe and affordable financial services to the estimated 70% of Pacific islanders that are unbanked. The majority of low income households in the Pacific need an affordable and a safe means to store and move money. We are supporting a number of initiatives in the region and are happy to be working with Digicel in Samoa and elsewhere to meet this need.”

Summary of initial Digicel Money services:

• Top Up- Buy Top Up and Send Top Up
• Transfer Money
• Withdraw Money
• Pay Bills
• My Account- Check Balance, See transaction History and Change PIN

Tongans can now transfer money, top up phones and pay utility bills using Digicel Mobile Money

Wednesday 12th January 2011 – Nuku'alofa, Tonga: Digicel has continued the Pacific rollout of the ground breaking “Digicel Mobile Money” service with a launch in Tonga today, which sees Digicel customers in the Kingdom offered a range of mobile financial capabilities including the ability to transfer money to friends and family nationwide and pay utility bills using their mobiles.

Digicel Mobile Money was first launched in Fiji in July with Tonga, through the support of the Reserve Bank of Tonga, becoming the second of Digicel’s six Pacific markets to launch the innovative service. Digicel mobile phones in Tonga will now become electronic wallets offering a secure and convenient way to transfer money to any Digicel Mobile in Tonga, top up phones and deposit or withdraw cash from their electronic wallets and to pay a range of ultility bills including Tonga Power, DigiNet and DigiTV.

Customers can simply deposit or withdraw money from their mobile wallet at any of Digicel’s nationwide network of stores and at authorized Digicel Mobile Money Agents across the country and can register for the service by simply dialling *888#.

The project, which is regulated by the Reserve Bank of Tonga, is supported by the United Nations Development Programme’s Pacific Financial Inclusion Fund (PFIP) and the GSM Association (GSMA) with a view to promoting financial inclusion within Tonga and the Pacific Islands. Digicel Mobile Money aims to assist in addressing the needs of the 70% of Pacific Islanders who do not have access to basic financial services and will be launched in Samoa. Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Nauru in the coming months.

Vanessa Slowey, CEO Digicel Pacific says, “Following the successful launch of Digicel Mobile Money in Fiji, we believe the service will have an immediate and positive impact on the lives of Tongans as we have experienced in Fiji. When you consider the number of people who do not have access to basic financial services in the Pacific, Digicel Mobile Money transforms the way our customers receive, handle and transfer money and pay bills. Our ambition is to offer this service across all our six Pacific markets and we are delighted to be able to work in partnership the Reserve Bank of Tonga and other Reserve Banks, the PFIP and the GSMA and we can look forward, together, to the positive impact of Mobile Money for communities in Tonga and the region.” Governor of the Reserve Bank of Tonga, Joyce Mafi said, “The Reserve Bank has been working closely with Digicel to advise and encourage the development of this innovative service. The Reserve Bank supports rural outreach and is delighted to see the innovation being applied here in Tonga.”

Graham Steven ‘Esau, Finance Manager for Tonga Power says, “Tonga Power strives to ensure quality service is provided to the people of Tonga, the Mobile Money bill payment service provided by Digicel is a convenient and easy way for the people of Tonga to settle their electricity bills and Tonga Power is proud to be part of this new initiative by Digicel”.

Stephen Breen, Director, Digicel Mobile Money said: “Digicel is delighted to launch Digicel Mobile Money in Tonga, our second Market in The Pacific and are very grateful to the Reserve Bank of Tonga for their advice and support, as well as the Pacific Financial Inclusion programme who provided financial and technical support to the project.”

Tillman Bruett, Technical Advisor of the PFIP said, “This is another important step forward in bringing access to safe and affordable financial services to the estimated 70% of Pacific islanders that are unbanked. The majority of low income households in the Pacific need an affordable and a safe means to store and move money. We are supporting a number of initiatives in the region and are happy to be working with Digicel in Tonga and the Pacific elsewhere to meet this need.”

Summary of initial Digicel Money services:

• Simple, secure mobile to mobile money transfers
• Cash lodgment and withdrawals at Digicel outlets nationwide, and through Digicel Mobile Money Agents
• The ability to instantly buy and send Top Up
• Pay bills such as Electricity, Digicel postpaid bills, DigiTV & Diginet
• Check balance and transaction history and manage security password

New Zealand's Pacific Island Community can now buy and send the gift of Digicel Prepaid Mobile Top Up back to the Islands

Wednesday, July 21st 2010 – Auckland, New Zealand:: New Zealand's Pacific Island community now have a new remittance option for sending value or a gift to friends and family back in the Islands with the launch of Digicel's new "Top Up Your Friends & Family" service.

Digicel, the Pacific Island's leading mobile provider operating in six Pacific Island countries, is now offering Digicel mobile Top Up credit in thousands of dairies and convenience stores throughout New Zealand. Customers can now simply buy Digicel mobile Top Up vouchers from their local prepaid outlet, available in $15, $20, $30 and $50 denominations, and can then send the Top Up credit to any Digicel prepaid phone in the Pacific via www.digicelrecharge.com or via 0800 DIGICEL (0800 34 44 235 or 09 9652715).

Digicel Top Up can be applied to any of Digicel's 1.6 million customers in Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu in the value of the local currently – and with no fees attached.

Speaking at the launch of "Digicel Top Up Friends & Family", His Excellency, Mr Faolotoi Reupena Pogi, Consul General Samoa said; "Being in contact and sending money or gifts back to the islands to family, friends and the community is integral to the culture of New Zealand’s Pacific Islanders. The amount of money sent from New Zealand annually is phenomenal and has a hugely positive impact on the lives of the Islanders and the development of these nations. I therefore commend Digicel on this service, which allows people to send credit home, with no fees attached, meaning more of the value gets to those who need it. The gift of Top Up or essentially the ability to communicate, will mean families can stay connected even if they are divided by the Pacific Ocean."

Pepe Christian Fruean, CEO, Digicel Samoa said; "Digicel Top Up in New Zealand is an excellent remittance or gift option to send value back to loved ones to help them stay in touch. Digicel mobile international rates for calls from Samoa and Tonga to New Zealand are significantly better value than mobile calling rates available in New Zealand and we believe that this service will provide another way to help families, friends, church groups and communities stay connected."

To celebrate the new service Digicel will add an additional 10% bonus credit on all Top Up sent from New Zealand in July.