Smartpay, which launched mobile payment services for Shanghai Unicom subscribers in July, now operates China's first multi-province mobile payment system. Subscribers in Shanghai and Anhui can now refill their mobile phone accounts and purchase pre-paid mobile "top-up" cards, long distance VOIP minutes, ISP access, online gaming time and other products and pay for them conveniently and electronically using Smartpay.

ICBC, the largest bank in Anhui, is already fully integrated into the system, and other large banks will be added in the next month. Customers can easily register for the service through ICBC's convenient phone banking system. Customers can also access the service through Smartpay's website.

Smartpay's CEO, Eric Rosenblum, commented, "This is a significant development for several reasons. First, it gives Unicom customers an extremely convenient method to pay their phone bill and purchase electronic products. More important, though, this system is now standard between Shanghai and neighboring Anhui, and will be extended to both Jiangsu and Zhejiang within months. The Eastern China region, with 30m Unicom subscribers, will be linked into a common payment system."

In addition, Smartpay's geographic reach is growing. In the coming two quarters, the Company expects services to commence in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Shandong, Chongqing, Hebei, Liaoning, and many other provinces.