Nokia confirms India mobile money exit

Nokia has confirmed reports it plans to quit the mobile financial services market in India just two years after opening for business.

 

The firm is speaking with its local mobile finance partners, staff and agents to plan its next steps, the staffer told TelecomAsia.net, adding that the move will also include its own-brand Nokia Money services in the market.

 

“As a result of Nokia’s evolving strategy and business environment, we are exploring options for a structured exit from the Mobile Financial Services business,” the spokesman said.

 

The spokesman says services “will continue to operate,” while the firm discusses its plans with local joint venture partners YES Bank and Union Bank, which have roughly a million users between them. Those discussions will cover “all customer and regulatory requirements,” he adds.

 

The statement is a confirmation of reports that Nokia will start asking 200,000 Nokia Money subscribers to spend the remaining funds in their account within the next four months.

 

Nokia commenced mobile money services in India in 2010 in partnership with the two local banks.