Kuwait’s Burgan Bank and Wataniya Telecom, the country’s most advanced mobile operator, announced the first major step in the region towards what they said was true mobile commerce.

The move will allow consumers in Kuwait to use their mobile phones for retail purchases with a quick and easy payment process using the highest security standards in the world, they said.
Harri Koponen, CEO, Wataniya Telecom, said: “Using the best available technologies, we’re now ready to introduce the first mobile payment service of its kind in Kuwait, and in the whole region. Customers will no longer need to carry wallets full of cash, credit cards, and so on. Their mobile phone will become their means of payment.”
Burgan Bank has made substantial investments in its technology base, and believes that a secure technological infrastructure is the way forward to providing modern, innovative and convenient services to its customers.
Its CEO Jonathan Lyon stated: “This is a pioneering move for us and Wataniya. The service, which uses WPKI (Wireless Public Key Infrastructure) will provide the only truly secure M-commerce solution. The M-commerce banking solution has been developed specifically with local customer’s lifestyle and requirements in mind. It will revolutionise the way purchases are made in Kuwait.”
Using the WPKI, customers will have a four-digit code that will identify them to the retail outlet and the bank, in order to permit and approve any purchase or transaction. The technology runs on WAP-enabled handsets. It is a world-class security standard, approved by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and widely used by leading international banks.
“The joint launch of m-Commerce by Burgan Bank and Wataniya will reinforce Kuwait’s position as one of the most dynamic and innovative banking and telecommunication markets in the Middle East,” observed Koponen.
“ With the powerful combination of an easy and quick payment process coupled to the peace of mind offered by the best security system available, m-Commerce’s future is now available for the Kuwaiti consumer.”
Koponen commented that the capabilities of m-Commerce were limitless. “We will be offering mobile payment to our customers very soon, and the potential of taking the applications further will open up huge opportunities for businesses as well as individuals.”
Burgan Bank’s firsts for Kuwait include Bee Bank, described as the first and most professional internet banking site; B-24, the first fully automated branches; B-Everywhere, the first and only Mobile ATM service, and B-SMS, the first and only interactive SMS-based account information service.
Launched in December 1999, Wataniya Telecom has been a driving force in increasing the mobile communications market penetration in Kuwait to over 70 per cent of the population. 
With operations in Kuwait, Iraq, Tunisia and Algeria, Wataniya Telecom is actively expanding its presence within the Middle East and North Africa region and now serves over 2 million customers in its operations.