Update: Vodafone has extended M-Pesa to Haryana, with 1073 agents, and 110 Vodafone stores. Jan 2nd 2014: Vodafone has launched its mobile payment service M-Pesa in Gujarat and is all set for pan India roll out this year, reports The Hindu. The telco had launched the service in India in 2012 along with ICICI bank and has since expanded operations to 11 circles -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, West Bengal, Bihar-Jharkhand, Rajasthan, UP East, UP West, Maharashtra & Goa and Assam & North East. In India Vodafone has 300,000 registered customers and 30,000 agents according to H1FY14 results posted by the company and currently charges between 1.2% and 1.5% of the value of transaction. When the service launched in Delhi, it was available via 1,400 authorized agents and across 130 Vodafone exclusive retail outlets, while in Mumbai, the service was available via 1,400 authorized agents and in Uttar Pradesh (East), it was launched with 5,500 authorized agents. M-Pesa allows consumers to deposit and withdraw cash from outlets, transfer money to any mobile phone in India, and remit money to any bank account in the country. Apart from transferring money, there are consumer payment services as well, allowing mobile account recharges, utility bill payments, and apparently even shopping at select shops. Note that until users are verified and KYC norms complied with, cash withdrawals and money transfer services are not allowed. Vodafone currently has a license for a semi closed wallet from the Reserve Bank of India, through its subsidiary MCSL (Mobile Commerce Solutions Ltd) and the company offers…
