Handset maker Nokia is looking for a pan India coverage for its Nokia Money, the mobile payment services enabling consumers to pay directly from their Nokia mobile phones in India, a top official said.

“We are now planning for a pan India coverage for our Nokia Money this year,” Nokia Mobile Financial Services Director, Gerhard Romen told PTI.

The e-wallet services of the firm is currently available in Mumbai, Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Nasik, Pune, Chennai and Chandigarh and the company will soon commence its operations in Surat, Baroda, Rajkot, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kochi and Kozhikode, he said.

An e-wallet is like a physical wallet that enables users to make electronic transactions quickly and securely, without cash.

“Earlier people were shocked to think that your phone could have a camera, but now everyone uses a camera phone. Similarly in a couple of years it will be a wallet in your phone,” he sid enthusing optimism.

Nokia at present has a tie-up for the e-wallet facility with Yes Bank and Union Bank of India, and the company is considering for a tie-up with other banks.

“We are still discussing with other banks for the facility, but I can not give you any names at this time,” he said.

Nokia Money Demo

What you can do?
Transfer money securely to your friends and family in a convenient and cost-effective way.

Pay your utility bills from almost anywhere and keep track of everything with reminders for due dates, overdue charges and payments.

Check your balance on the go and manage your expenses and payments at the same time.

Recharge your pre-paid account wherever and whenever you like – adding funds is easy and it only takes a few moments.

Make convenient cashless payments to informal merchants without having to carry money or bank cards as you travel from place to place.

Manage your money with confidence – the latest mobile technology is used to handle all your finances securely.

Save time when dealing with your personal finances – no more waiting in line at the bank or making unnecessary trips into town.

ICICI Bank, the country’s largest private sector lender, today launched cash withdrawal facility for customers at point of sale (PoS) terminals or merchant outlets.

Customers with debit cards will have the option to withdraw cash up to Rs 1,000 whether they buy or not buy at merchant outlets.

“The facility will be available to all ICICI Bank debit card holders who can withdraw Rs1,000 a day. Cash can be withdrawn with or without associate purchase transaction at an approved and enabled merchant establishment with PoS terminals,” the bank said.

According to RBI guidelines issued in July 2009, cash withdrawals of up to Rs 1,000 a day from PoS terminals were permitted through all debit cards issued in India. RBI, however had left it to the banks’ discretion to decide on the fee.

However, Union Bank of India, the first bank to start this facility about a year back.