Globe Telecom unit launches SME service

MANILA, Philippines—G-Xchange Inc. (GXI), the e-commerce unit of Globe Telecom, on Thursday launched a platform that will allow entrepreneurs to use their mobile phones to accept debit and credit card payments.

Dubbed Globe Charge, the platform will allow the use of a mobile card reader with cell phones, a cheaper and more mobile alternative to traditional card terminals.

“Globe once again brings the synergy of mobile technology and cashless commerce into an entirely new dimension with Globe Charge. With just a mobile card reader plugged into a smartphone or tablet, Globe Charge will open up more opportunities for business credit and debit card payments, particularly MasterCard, and very soon, Visa,” said GXI President Paolo Baltao.

Globe Charge is available at Globe Stores in most SM Malls in Metro Manila and The Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Greenhills, Glorietta and Trinoma.

Small and medium-scale enterprises can get the Globe Charge mobile card reader for free at Plan 999, which comes with a Samsung Galaxy Win, surfing-texting-calling combos, plus consumables.

“We envision Globe Charge to spur brisk economic activity, especially among emerging business entities and small and medium business entrepreneurs. Working with our very own technology, this makes for a very promising proposition to realize revenue through card-based transactions with the use of an easy, convenient, and secure platform,” Baltao said.

The service, Globe officials said, would help expand the electronics payment business as they tap a client base that would eventually number in the thousands.

“Merchants will enjoy better rates and deals compared to banks, and will receive the settlement as early as the next business day. They just need to connect via WiFi or mobile data for free,” said Globe myBusiness senior vice president Martha Sazon.

“Globe Charge will enable SMBs [small and medium businesses] to offer more payment options, which would mean more customers, increased sales and business growth and, on a larger scale, create a wonderful economic environment for the country,” Sazon added.

Aside from a smartphone and a mobile card reader, Globe Charge combines the synergy of a downloadable app from the Google Play and soon on the App Store, the business owner’s user account, the company said in a statement yesterday.