Safaricom Enters Into Agreement with DSTV on M-PESA Bill Payment

Listed telecoms firm Safaricom has entered into partnership with pay TV Company MultiChoice that will allow DStv customers pay their bills through the M-PESA service. The service will be available to DStv customers country-wide, most of whom are already users of the revolutionary M-PESA service.

While signing the partnership at Safaricom House, Safaricom CEO Mr. Michael Joseph said the partnership was strategic as many DStv subscribers are high value customers whom Safaricom is targeting for its M-PESA Pay Bill service.

“The convenience that this service offers to them will eventually make them want to use the service with other M-PESA Pay Bill partners,” said Joseph. Joseph said Safaricom would continue partnering with organizations from diverse sectors especially public utility providers in the market with a view of streamlining and improving service delivery to Kenyans. “We believe in offering business solutions that make it easier for our partners to service their clients. This launch is a clear indication of this commitment,” he said.

MultiChoice Kenya General Manager Mr. Stephen Isaboke applauded the introduction of the new DStv payment Solution through M-PESA, which will allow for much more efficient and convenient access of DStv services than ever before.

“MultiChoice is constantly driven to ensure that all our subscribers are delighted with the total offering and we are continuously looking to improve business processes to provide first class service to our customers” said Isaboke. “MultiChoice recognizes that success is built on listening to subscriber needs, delivering world-class television channels, developing local content and  delivering excellent customer service” Isaboke added.

Customers using the service will be charged KES20 for amounts less than KES1,000 and KES30 for amounts exceeding KES1,000. M-PESA transaction limits will apply for the service. The paid amount will be reflected in the customer’s account within two hours and a confirmation SMS sent to the customer by MultiChoice.

The growth of the M-PESA service has gone beyond its primary role of mobile money transfer to include value-added services such as the Pay Bill and Bulk Payments functionalities. Safaricom currently deals with over 300 firms in similar arrangements that have seen millions of customers make payments from the convenience of their homes and offices through the M-PESA Pay Bill service.

M-PESA, the electronic money transfer service launched in partnership with Vodafone in March 2007, has grown steadily and since launch has registered over 10 million users who can access the service anywhere in the country.