More and more businesses around the globe are
focusing on the social networking generation and launching
initiatives dedicated to that segment – and the convergence with
payments is accelerating.

The latest such case is Indian mobile service provider
Tata Docomo, which is rolling out Twittcom, an
alternative service that permits its GSM prepaid customers to
register their phone number and top up their accounts through the
social network Twitter.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

To register their account, customers have to post a tweet to
@tatadocomo typing their mobile number preceded by the hashtag #reg
(#reg 000000000).

Tata then sends a verification pin code via SMS that should be
tweeted again at  the handle @tatadocomo after the hashtag
#code (#code 0000000000). The @tatadocomo handle will post back
this tweet confirming the registration.

To activate a value-added service via Twitter, the subscriber
needs to again type the @tatadocomo handle and the following #act#
service value. The confirmation of the successful top up will also
come in the form of a tweet.

Although these
steps mean that customers’ personal
data will be posted
in the public
environment of a social network, such as their mobile number, Tata
Docomo is optimistic about the initiative.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Ritesh Ghosal, head of brand marketing at Tata Teleservices
said:

“With the increasing consumption of internet and the rise of
social media, it
makes ample sense to be present on the medium where people are
spending time at present or they are likely to spend time in the
future. Our community on Facebook is amongst the strongest in the
world and Twitter too will reach the same levels quite soon.”