Singtel extends VIA mobile wallet alliance

Singtel has announced a further expansion of its emerging cross-border mobile payment alliance via an arrangement with Singapore Changi Airport.

Subscribers to Thailand’s AIS will soon be able to use their AIS GLOBAL Pay mobile wallets to make payments across all four Changi Airport terminals in their home currency.

AIS, one of Singtel’s regional mobile affiliates, is the first international member of the VIA Alliance, which launched in October. Other member mobile wallets to be added later this year include K Plus from Thailand’s Kasikorbank and Axiata Digital’s Boost Malaysia.

Singtel also recently arranged to allow users of mobile wallets within the VIA Alliance to make payments in Japan through a partnership with Tokyo-based NETSTARS.

Singtel plans to progressively expand the VIA alliance to include its other regional associates Airtel in India, Globe in the Philippines, Telkomsel in Indonesia, as well as more non-operator entities.

“With Singapore welcoming over half a million visitors from Thailand every year, we are excited to enhance the retail experience for them with the ease, familiarity and convenience of seamless transactions,” Singtel International VP of business Soon Sze Meng said.

“Having the many merchants in Changi Airport on board VIA will enable Thai travelers to enjoy a wide range of cashless dining and retail options from the moment they touch down, while these merchants will capture new customers and revenue.”