Top Super App Stories This Week:

• Uber Eyes Expedia Acquisition for its Super App Ambitions

• eSIM technology adoption in IoT to accelerate by 2025

• Tuum Teams Up with Zenus Bank to Introduce Global BaaS

• Indonesia's State-Owned Electricity Company PLN Provides Convenience Through PLN Super App

1. Uber Eyes Expedia Acquisition for its Super App Ambitions

Uber has explored a potential acquisition of Expedia, a major US travel booking platform, as part of its strategy to diversify and expand its service offerings. This deal, if pursued, would be Uber’s largest acquisition, complementing its transformation into a Super App, providing users with a wide range of services beyond ride-hailing, including travel bookings and corporate logistics.

The idea of the acquisition was introduced by a third party, and Uber has approached advisers to examine its feasibility. Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, who was Expedia’s CEO for 12 years and is still a board member, could play a key role in facilitating the deal. However, Uber’s interest remains in its early stages, and no formal discussions have taken place.

This move aligns with Uber’s ambition to become a super app, a concept popularized by platforms like WeChat, offering users a unified digital ecosystem for transportation, food delivery, travel bookings, and more. Adding Expedia's capabilities would significantly boost Uber’s expansion in the travel sector, fueling further growth amid rising competition in the super app space.

Source: Financial Times

2. eSIM technology adoption in IoT to accelerate by 2025

IoT Analytics' latest report highlights the growing importance of eSIM and iSIM technologies in enhancing security, simplifying roaming, and facilitating provisioning for cellular IoT devices, although current adoption rates stand at 33%. The global installed base of eSIM-capable IoT connectivity modules reached 650 million in 2023, offering significant benefits such as remote SIM provisioning and improved security, but adoption has been hindered by challenges like provisioning complexities and fragmented industry standards.

To address these obstacles, the GSMA has introduced new specifications, SGP.31 and SGP.32, aimed at creating a more standardized framework for manufacturers and end-users. These new guidelines are expected to ease the implementation of eSIM technology, potentially accelerating its widespread deployment in the IoT sector.

IoT Analytics predicts accelerated growth in cellular IoT modules with eSIM technology starting in the second half of 2025. The findings are part of their updated market trackers, which also revealed a shift in CEO discussions toward AI, renewable energy, and IT resilience. These trends suggest changing corporate investment priorities, while economic concerns remain a dominant theme.

Source: Telco News

3. Tuum Teams Up with Zenus Bank to Introduce Global BaaS

Tuum, an Estonia-based core banking provider, has partnered with US digital bank Zenus to launch a global Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform. This collaboration aligns with Zenus' goal of enabling banks, fintech companies, super apps, and other businesses to embed US banking services into their offerings. Zenus went live with Tuum’s Accounts and Payments modules, integrating these with its existing systems to enhance its service capabilities.

The partnership enables Zenus to scale its BaaS platform, offering global access to US banking infrastructure for both businesses and consumers. By leveraging Tuum’s flexible and scalable solutions, Zenus can optimize its banking services and provide seamless cross-border transactional solutions, helping super apps and fintechs integrate financial services efficiently.

Zenus plans to expand its BaaS partnerships globally, with several deals set to go live in late 2024. The collaboration positions Zenus as a key player in delivering banking solutions within the super app ecosystem, helping apps and businesses offer comprehensive financial services to their users.

Source: The Paypers

4. Indonesia's State-Owned Electricity Company PLN Provides Convenience Through PLN Super App

PT PLN (Persero) has strengthened its commitment to delivering high-quality services and convenience to customers through the PLN Mobile SuperApp. The platform offers easy, efficient, and secure online transactions, ensuring customer satisfaction, according to PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo. The app is part of PLN's digital transformation efforts that started four years ago, designed to meet all the needs of PLN’s customers.

PLN Mobile SuperApp allows users to manage electricity-related services, including new installations, token purchases, power upgrades, and even internet and electric vehicle services. The platform is unique in offering cheaper service costs, such as a token purchase option starting at just IDR 5,000, which is not available on other platforms, making it a cost-effective solution for customers.

PT PLN (Persero), or Perusahaan Listrik Negara, is Indonesia's state-owned electricity company responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity across the country. It holds a monopoly over the electrical utility services in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of electricity to households, businesses, and industries. PLN plays a crucial role in the nation's infrastructure and development, particularly in rural electrification and supporting Indonesia's energy sector, including renewable energy initiatives and digital innovations like the PLN Mobile SuperApp.

Source: VOI

That's It For This Week!

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