Western Union Enables Skype Customers to Top up at Locations across the U.S.
April 08 2015 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Western Union (NYSE: WU), a leader in global
payment services, and Microsoft-owned Skype, provider of internet
software that enables users to communicate via messaging, video or
voice calls, today announced an agreement which allows Skype
customers to top up their accounts at more than 50,000 Western
Union® Agent locations across the United States.
This strategic alliance advances Western Union’s market
leadership in enabling digital-age participation by using a walk-in
payment solution for consumers. It also paves the way for value-add
offerings for companies with digital-rich content or online
merchandisers seeking to attract new customers.
Under the agreement, consumers can now use Western Union
services to purchase Skype Credit, which enables calls to mobile
and landlines worldwide. Calling rates start as low as 1 cent per
minute1. Skype Credit also offers the ability to send text messages
directly from Skype to mobile phones, which is ideal for consumers
wishing to stay in touch while travelling.
Western Union’s Odilon Almeida, President, Americas and
European Union, said, “The relationship is a logical one, as
both Western Union and Skype have a mission to connect people when
they are apart.
“Western Union is optimizing its money transfer system to link
cash and digital for money movement and payments across the globe.
We are driving our innovation on the back of what our customers
want. Skype is a classic example; where customers can enjoy full
digital access with a walk-in payment option,” he said.
Our business is moving money for our customers whether they are
banked, under-banked or un-banked. This includes consumer to
consumer remittances, consumers to business payments, cross border
payments for SMEs and disbursements for NGOs, Financial
Institutions and Educational bodies.
“Our ability to link cash and digital and vice versa creates
boundless opportunity for consumers and businesses, including
billers within the United States.
“Today, we are improving choices, with the goal of allowing
people to send money any time, any way and (almost) anywhere on
earth, through an array of pay-in options such as cash, bank
account, debit, credit, prepaid, mobile wallet and now Apple Pay in
the U.S.,” he said.
Skype has over 300 million active users and many of those users
are also Western Union customers. “Through Skype, Western Union
customers can stay in touch with loved ones to let them know about
money transfers and share everyday experiences,” said Enrico
Noseda, Director of Business Development at Microsoft.
“Communicating through Skype helps keep families together, no
matter their location.”
Skype customers can connect to family and friends from a
smartphone, tablet or computer. Skype lets people communicate and
share files with anyone else on Skype through IM chat, voice, video
or even group video calls. While Skype-to-Skype calls are free,
Skype Credit is required to call landline or mobile numbers, which
is charged via a debit-based user account system.
The Western Union® Quick Collect® platform facilitates
consumer-to-business payments. Skype customers can simply top up
their own Skype account, or that of a loved one.
The Western Union Quick Collect service is enabled in the U.S.
through an Agent network of more than 50,000 locations which
include banks, national retail and grocery chains and independent
locations.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global
payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago
Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment
services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with
fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around
the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of
December 31, 2014, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta
branded services were offered through a combined network of over
500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over
100,000 ATMs and kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company
completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide,
moving $85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million
business payments. For more information, visit
www.westernunion.com.
1 Based on calls to Mexico. Rates may vary based on calling
destination and number of calls made; a connection fee per call
applies. See skype.com for rates. Skype calls are charged in
one-minute increments; any partial minute over 5 seconds is rounded
up to the next full minute. Call prices are subject to change.
Broadband and Skype account required. Internet & mobile fees
may apply. Skype’s <Terms of Use> apply. Terms can change
without notice at any time. No cash redemption except as required
by law. The value of Skype Credit is in USD, which will be
converted to your Skype Account’s designated currency at
redemption. No emergency calls can be made using Skype. Skype is
not a telephone replacement service. Void where prohibited or
restricted by law.
WU-G
Western UnionAmericas and European Union:Pia De Lima, +1
954-260-5732Pia.DeLima@westernunion.comorUS:Sarah Meske, +1
720-332-2796sarah.meske@westernunion.com
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