SMS payment can be launched for parking services

/AzerNews/

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Mobile operators in Azerbaijan are planning to launch an SMS payment service for parking operations.

The project, to be accomplished in near future, is under discussion now and needs a certain period of time for preliminary arrangements.

"The main condition is linked with the micropayments and tools to be used for the payment for parking operations. There are two options of paying for the parking services via SMS. The first option envisages a direct payment from the subscriber's balance, while the second one paves the way for payment via bank accounts,” a source in the communication sector told Trend.

The second method prevents the operator from a direct contact with the end user, as he/she is not a financial institution. Practically, the operator will sign an agreement with a bank to enumerate the received money deposited in the bank's account. The bank, in turn, transfers the money to the account of the body, which stands for the collection of the payments for parking services.

The source believes that the second option is much more acceptable, since the same method is applied for the payments of the utilities and other services.

"The operators are ready to provide a short number to be used for the exchange between the subscribers and systems, which are responsible for the payment services for parking operations.

Over 220 computerized parking systems - Parkomats - have been installed in 75 streets and avenues of the capital city Baku, according to Azerbaijani police.

The price of using the service of the Parkomat system is $0.6 for half an hour, $1.3 for an hour and $2.6 for two hours.

The maximum time of using Parkomat system is 4 hours for one driver and violation of the rule is fined under the Administrative Offences Code.