MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

With all the innovative features and accessories, it seems that now there is little that a mobile can't be used for. A mobile is not just a phone but your day planner, your music player, your camera, your gaming partner and for some even a mini PC.

Well the good news is, soon you will be able to use your phone to pay your bills as well. All you need is a bank account, a mobile phone and ta registration with PayBill. For the first time in Nepal, PayBill has introduced an SMS-based payment service. "Now you can use your cell as your debit or credit card," says Manish Subba, founder and CEO of PayBill.

The new service is being launched following over a year of research and testing in partnership with the Indian company PayMate.

"Nepal and India share many social and cultural attributes. The mobile proliferation seems to be increasing here as well," explains PayMate India founder Ajay Adiseshann. "This is a great time to launch a solution that adds value and convenience to the services a mobile provides." After just two years in business, PayMate has over 760,000 customers and over 13,000 partners. It has also extended its reach into the US, Sri Lanka and UAE.

PayBill launched its services in partnership with Everest Bank and Nepal Telecom. In its first phase, the service is limited to the NTC pre-paid SIM users who will be able to recharge their phones. "But positive discussions with other banks, utilities offices, supermarkets and restaurants are underway," says Subba. Hopefully, this service will be extended to paying utility bills, purchasing movie tickets, tickets for flight and for online or retail shopping.

The concern for most is of course the level of security. If your mobile becomes your credit card as well, then what happens if you lose it? When asked, Adiseshann replies: "The security in this concept is a notch above the credit card. Each client is given a permanent PIN number and a different alpha code in every transaction. Without the two, the money in your bank account does not go anywhere." He smiles and assures that until now they have not faced any problem of abuse or misuse of their services.

Paavan Mathema