MoneyGram offers phone loading service to US-based Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - MoneyGram International (MGI) and Iris Wireless have forged an agreement to provide global prepaid mobile top-up services that will make it easier for Filipinos living in the United States to stay connected with friends and family in the Philippines.

Based on the agreement, MoneyGram will provide load service for US consumers who want to reload the cellphone minutes of individuals in the Philippines using Iris Wireless’ partner Globe Telecom as their service provider.

MoneyGram is a leader in the payment services industry while Iris Wireless is a leading provider of messaging services connected to more than 850 network operators in 200 countries.

International mobile top-up, a complementary service to MoneyGram’s global money transfer business, gives US consumers another way to support those living or traveling abroad by purchasing airtime credits on their behalf. MoneyGram will offer this service through its network of ExpressPayment retail agents – 35,000 in the US – including Albertsons LLC, CVS/Pharmacy and Walmart.

“MoneyGram’s alliance with Iris Wireless allows our customers to not only pay bills and send money to loved ones; but now they can also help out their friends and family in the Philippines by providing instant credit on Globe Telecom mobile phones,” Greg Waltz, vice president and general manager of global payments at MoneyGram International, said.

“As demand continues to grow for international prepaid top-up services, Iris Wireless is excited about partnering with MoneyGram and Globe Telecom to provide international airtime minutes home to friends and family members in the Philippines,” Peter Rinfret, CEO of Iris Wireless, added.

Unlike in the US where most consumers have contracts for monthly service with wireless carriers, prepaid billing is the standard for most wireless consumers around the world who replenish minutes as they use them.

“As a mobile phone service provider Globe Telecom keeps people connected. This collaboration for international top-up provides us an opportunity to give millions of Filipinos in the US a different way to stay connected to friends and family back home,” Globe consumer sales head Ferdinand de la Cruz said. “It also helps Globe extend our reloading channels beyond the traditional sales network.”

US customers can visit any MoneyGram agent location to purchase airtime credits for family and friends in the Philippines and load credits in various denominations in dollars. The cellphone user will receive a text message that their phone has been topped up for a specific amount.

MoneyGram International, a leading global payments services company, enables consumers who are not fully served by traditional financial institutions to meet their financial needs. It offers money transfer services worldwide and bill payment services in the United States through a global network of more than 227,000 agent locations — including retailers, international post offices and financial institutions — in more than 190 countries and territories around the world.

Iris Wireless, a privately held company, is connected to over 850 wireless, cable, fixed-line and Internet service providers with access to over 4.5 billion people in 200 countries for inter-carrier messaging services. Founded in 2000, Iris has unparalleled experience in providing hosted inter-carrier SMS and MMS messaging services, DirectRecharge international prepaid phone recharge, and next generation value-added services to global network operators. Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, Iris has offices worldwide serving global network operators such as BSNL, China Unicom, Globe Telecom, MetroPCS, Reliance Communications International Inc. and Trilogy International Partners.