WorldPay enables Skype to offer customers in Russia the ability to pay via QIWI

LONDON (March 5th, 2013) - WorldPay and Skype have announced an expanded relationship to process payments for QIWI services in Russia.

Citizens from Russia can now purchase Skype Credit not only from QIWI interfaces (QIWI Wallet and QIWI Kiosks), but also by initiating a payment directly using QIWI on the “Buy Skype Credit” payment webpage. Consumers can now use QIWI Wallet to add Skype Credit online via WorldPay's Corporate Gateway.

Offering QIWI Wallet Payment processing will allow Skype to build stronger relationships in the Russian market and provide a richer experience to its customers through their preferred payment choice. QIWI is one of over 200 alternative payments that WorldPay processes globally.

To pay for Skype products, consumers can click the tab “My Account”, choose QIWI and the sum of the payment, then enter their mobile phone number and perform the payment using one of the following methods: QIWI Wallet account, attached bank card, mobile phone account or by cash in QIWI Kiosks. Using QIWI Wallet payments, processed by WorldPay, consumers can open a wide range of possibilities, including calls to mobile and landline phone numbers (SkypeOut), SMS text messaging and others.

“Skype entered an agreement with QIWI in 2012 to introduce a new payment method for users in Russia, allowing consumers to top up Skype Credit using QIWI cash-in kiosks across the country. Following the successful roll-out, Skype has extended the use of QIWI for online transactions via WorldPay's Corporate Gateway so consumers can use QIWI Wallet to add credit to their Skype accounts”, said Mikhail Rogov, Head of international business development, QIWI Bank.

Jason Macklin, Director of the Billing and Payments, Skype, said “Skype is very pleased to announce an extension to our partnerships with both QIWI and WorldPay. Our aim is to provide, to our growing global customer base, convenient ways to pay. The QIWI payment network and QIWI Wallet are undoubtedly one of the most important payment methods in the region and we are glad that all QIWI users now have more convenient options to top-up their Skype accounts.”

Phillip McGriskin, Chief Product Officer, WorldPay, said: “With a growing economy and a surge in eCommerce, Russia presents a significant opportunity for online merchants. WorldPay has extensive knowledge of processing multiple alternative payment types globally. Building on WorldPay’s long-standing partnership with Skype and supporting QIWI services, Skype can take advantage of a consumer’s preferred method of payment in this important market. Users in Russia will benefit from having a wider choice of payment options available to them to pay for products offered by Skype.”