‘The introduction of mobile money orders would be a rather logical m-banking innovation,’ Lyudmila Protasova, PR Director of MegaFon Ural, says regarding a global money order system brought about by GSM Association.

‘Our clients can pay the subscription fee using their bank account if they sign a special additional agreement providing their account number and the way money must be transferred into the company’s account,’ Ms Protasova explained.

‘Russian mobile operators, though, are not likely to join the global m-payment network any time soon, since they would have to get a banking license first.’