Zain Kuwait has partnered with leading secure online payment provider, cashU, to offer customers a quick and secure method to shop online without the hassle of credit cards.

Zain customers can purchase cashU refill coupons through the newly launched iCard service, a statement from the telecommunications company said.

The iCard services enable customers to shop online with cashU cards on entertainment, travel, gaming, communication and social-networking websites.

Using cashU prepaid cards, customers can also purchase iTunes enabling safe and efficient music downloads, the statement said.

Martin Waldenstrom, CEO, cashU, said: “CashU is the only fully integrated online payment service in the Middle East and as such we are always looking for strategic partnerships with telecommunications service providers to add value to our customer bases.”

“The iCard service offers a new exclusive mobile payment service that provides customers with the safest and easiest way to get cashU prepaid cards without the use of a credit card or K-Net (K-Net is a national company providing electronic banking services to all the banks in Kuwait).”

Payments require a card voucher which is ordered by SMS, the payment for which is done via the user’s mobile account balance. After sending a text, customers will receive a message asking them to choose the cashU card option. Once this is done, the customer receives a voucher number enabling them to shop online.

In 2011, 54 per cent of the total number of cashU transactions were from online gaming, with 34 per cent of cashU online gamers being under the age of 18, and don’t have access to credit cards.

Innovative services such as iCard target this age group and other customers who shy away from using their credit cards online fearing security issues, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service