Listen up, I’ve got some awesome news! Next month, Google Pay (also known by many as Google Wallet) is landing right here in our country. We’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time, haven’t we? You might be wondering, “What’s so new about this, and what’s in it for me?” Come on, let me break it down for you.
What Exactly is Google Pay, and Why All the Buzz?
Simply put, Google Pay is like a digital wallet inside your smartphone. You can securely save all your debit or credit card information in it. Then, whether you’re shopping at stores, paying bills online, or sending money to friends – you can do it all with your mobile! When it launches in Bangladesh, it’s really going to shake up how we handle our money.
So, What Benefits Are You Going to Get?
Your Wallet is Now on Your Phone: The biggest plus? Your smartphone itself becomes your wallet. Say goodbye to the days of carrying a bunch of plastic cards in your pocket! Just imagine how cool that is!
Hassle-Free Contactless Payments: When you’re at a store, just a gentle tap of your phone on the machine (POS machine) and your payment is complete! Often, you won’t even need to scan a QR code. Everything will be much faster and super secure.
International Shopping at Your Fingertips: Want to buy something from a foreign website? Or need to pay for an international service? Google Pay will make that much easier too. If you have a dual currency card, just add it to Google Pay, and you’re good to go!
It’ll Work Everywhere: It’s not just for store purchases. Booking flight tickets, hanging out at the shopping mall, or going to the movies with a friend – you’ll be able to use Google Pay for all sorts of payments.
Who Gets This Facility? Initially, City Bank customers will be able to link their Visa and Mastercard to Google Wallet and use this service. But don’t worry, gradually other banks in the country will join the list.
What About the Cost? Generally, if you use your own bank account or debit card to send money to someone or make a payment at a store, Google Pay won’t charge you anything extra. However, for international transactions or payments in foreign currency, your bank might charge a small fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) according to their policies.
If You’re a Freelancer, What’s in It for You?
Now, you might be wondering how directly useful Google Pay will be for freelancers. Look, it might not bring a massive change right away. But, if an international standard payment system like Google Pay successfully launches in our country, it will definitely pave the way for other essential services like PayPal to come in the future. And if that happens, it’ll be a game-changer!
What About Our bKash, Nagad, Rocket – What Happens to Them?
In Bangladesh, mobile banking services like bKash, Nagad, and Rocket are incredibly popular. Will Google Pay’s arrival put them under pressure? I don’t think so. Google Pay will primarily be more useful for those who use smartphones and are accustomed to card-based transactions. And our mobile banking services have reached even the most remote parts of the country, where perhaps not everyone has a smartphone or a bank account yet.
However, yes, when an advanced system like Google Pay arrives, our mobile banking companies will also be motivated to improve their service quality and introduce new features. Ultimately, you and I will be the ones to benefit!
All in All…
There’s no doubt that when Google Pay comes to our country, handling money will become easier, faster, and more secure. It might take a little time for it to reach everyone or for all its features to be fully rolled out, but it’s undeniably a big step towards a smarter and cashless future.