Telecoms giant Telefónica has partnered with Ukash and
vouchers are now available from 70,000 public phones in the
country, so Spaniards can get Ukash anytime from virtually
anywhere
Ukash, Europe's fastest growing cash solution to pay online, has
inked a deal with telecommunications giant Telefónica to
make Ukash vouchers available from all traditional telephone kiosks
across Spain. The new service, which will go first live with Habbo
Spain, is a key milestone towards the continuing recognition of the
cash customer in the online space.
Telefónica is a leading global integrated
telecommunications company, with presence in 24 countries and
headquartered in Spain. Ukash is already available from thousands
of convenience stores in the country and the new arrangement
provides customers in Spain with an additional 70,000 points of
sale and 24-hour availability to buy e-cash anytime and nearly
anywhere.
With a 111% mobile phone penetration in the country today,
Telefónica is looking for innovative ways to utilise the
existing public phone terminals. The company first upgraded the
booths to send SMS to mobiles and emails in 2003 and turned them
into points of sale for small payment solutions a year later.
To purchase Ukash via Telefónica kiosks, users follow the
prompts on screen and deposit coins for the voucher's value.
Customers immediately receive their Ukash's 19-digit unique code
via SMS, which can then be used to pay online in a similar way to a
credit/debit card number however without the need to reveal
personal details, eliminating the risk of identity fraud.
"Micropayments have proved to be a fantastic and highly
demanded service from our terminals and we are excited with the new
offering from Ukash. Kiosks are hugely widespread, present in the
great majority of communities, including rural areas. They allow
services such as Ukash to be conveniently reach audiences which
would be almost impossible to reach otherwise."
Juan Utande Ramiro, Marketing Director, Telefonica
Telecomunicaciones Publicas