Singapore telco Singtel’s mobile wallet alliance Via is entering a strategic partnership with Tokyo-based mobile payment company Netstars. Via e-wallet users get to enjoy convenient mobile transactions at 100,000 Netstar stores across malls, outlets, and tourist attractions in Japan. Meanwhile, Netstars is bringing in more businesses for its merchants as it seeks to grow its the number of stores in its network to over one million by the end of 2020.
Just a few weeks back, Axiata Digital’s Boost Malaysia mobile wallet was added as a cross-border mobile payment partner in the Via Alliance, which now consists of  Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Discussions are also underway for similar partnerships to be struck with Airtel in India, Globe in the Philippines, Telkomsel in Indonesia, as well as the non-telco partners. The goal is to have a wider network for seamless cross-border mobile transactions in more places for Via users.
Against the backdrop of stricter regulations, the city-state’s mobile payments market continues to gain traction. Local banks like OCBC and DBS  are also offering their own digital wallets, in addition to service providers like YouTrip.
Editor: Nadine Freischlad
