SlashPhone » Asia

Citibank Korea launched mobile banking for foreigners

Budi Putra — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:12:25 +0000

Noticed that banking system in South Korea is quite easy. Opening a local bank account, for instance, is pretty simple whether you are a foreigner or not. And now, Citibank Korea (one of a few exceptional banks that have experience with foreign clients, besides Korea Exchange Bank, Woori Bank, and Hana Bank) launches another easyness: by offering VM mobile banking service in English.

Citibank had opened its first branch in Korea in 1967, and was born newly as Citibank Korea Inc. (CKI) through integration with KorAm Bank in 2004.

Available for most cell phones equipped for wireless Internet (initially being setup for SK Telecom and KTF subscribers, and then for LG Telecom users), the existing users of CKI Internet banking need to download its software. The application enables you to use various banking services such as transfer/inquiry, FX rate inquiry, loan inquiry and GIRO payment, as well as credit card inquiry and CA service.

According to a recent research, although the global economy has been slowing down since second half of this year, there is a strong optimism that the market will go growing in the coming year. The mobile market is predicted to grow to 308.1 trillion won (about US$ 220 billion), a 6.7% higher than this year.

[via 3Gweek]

BlackBerry Bold is coming to South Korean this month

Budi Putra — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:34:05 +0000

RIM and its local counterpart, SK Telecom, will deliver BlackBerry Bold 9000 for corporate users this month (most likely will come this December 29). It’s a really good timing since the local government has approved new mobile regulation standard that allows foreign handsets like BlackBerry and iPhone to be offered in the country.

[via 3Gweek]

MTNL to become India’s first 3G operator

Budi Putra — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:07:54 +0000

Finally a 3G connection landed in India. The state-owned telecom company, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), will unveil it tomorrow in India Telecom 2008 event. Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Sigh, will present at the event.

MTNL will offer free service for the first two months for its premium users in Delhi area, and the company also plans to launch 3G services in the whole region within a month, except Mumbai which will take place a bit longer, around two months time.

[via 3Gweek]

SingTel sells over 20,000 iPhones in three weeks

Budi Putra — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:00:40 +0000

Singapore apparently is one of iPhone 3G’s most enthusiast Asian countries. Since the historic Apple’s iPhone 3G launch in the SingTel Comcentre, Exeter Road, Singapore, on August 22nd, Singtel has sold more than 20,000 units of the Apple iPhone 3G during three week. To be rough, it is counted as about 1000 units sold per day!

This is the first time the telco has given a clear indication of sales after securing an exclusive deal with Apple to distribute the phone here ahead of rivals StarHub and MobileOne (M1). The phone is one of SingTel’s fastest selling handsets ever (and) interest in the iPhone 3G remains high.

SingTel is the country’s largest telecommunications company and the largest mobile network operator in the Asia Pacific outside of the People’s Republic of China. Singapore joins 17 other countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America that get their first taste of the iPhone.

[AsiaOne via 3Gweek | Photo: 3Gweek]