Dubai eGovernment’s mPay sees almost 50% increase in collections for first half of 2011

Dubai eGovernment announced that its mPay mobile payment gateway has collected over AED 3.5 million for the first half of 2011, which is almost a 50% rise in collections when compared to the same period last year.

The mPay mobile payment gateway is an emergency payment gateway for customers to make payments of fines and fees using SMS on their mobile phones. Interested customers first have to sign up for the service on the website, along with  their credit card details and can then enquire and pay by SMS to 4488 from anywhere and at anytime; especially if the customer does not have access to cash or the internet to pay for traffic fines, Salik top-up and DEWA bills.

As per a comparison of both years, fees of approximately AED 3.5 million, through 12,400 transactions were collected in the first half of 2011 as compared to approximately AED 2.4 million through 9,570 transactions in the corresponding period in 2010. Three departments are currently using the mPay service: RTA for Salik recharge, Dubai Police for traffic fines and DEWA for electricity bills.

H.E. Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai eGovernment, said: “Dubai eGovernment spares no effort to provide these vital eServices and infrastructure among the departments to enable them to electronically provide their services to the public, thereby offering multiple choices and innovation in the field of eGovernment.”

Bin Humaidan added: “The mPay service is part of Dubai eGovernment’s initiative to provide eServices through innovative channels with the aim of facilitating government transactions of the public and businesses in Dubai. It allows the participants to make instant, efficient and convenient payment of government fees using their mobile phones, thus saving their time and sparing them of additional fees or having to check their fee and fine status with the relevant departments. Since a customer only needs a basic phone without the internet, anyone can access and use this service from any location.”

Bin Humaidan pointed out that Dubai eGovernment is currently considering the expansion of individual and corporate beneficiaries from this service, either by introducing new departments and entities or adding new services of existing departments.

To use mPay service, a customer has first to register on the website of mPay, which provides more information about the service. A customer can also inquire about the service by calling Dubai eGovernment’s AskDubai on 7000 40000.