O2 to launch pre-paid cash card in Ireland

Mobile operator O2 is planning to venture into the Irish financial services market with the launch of a pre-paid cash card.

O2 will partner with a specialist UK bank to launch the card to its 1.7 million customers in Ireland early in 2011, according to The Irish Times.

O2 will issue a plastic card to its customers, using which the users will be able to load the card with credit.

Using the card, the customers will be able to withdraw cash from ATM both nationally and internationally, making purchases in shops and transact online.

In the UK, O2 operates a similar card with NatWest bank called ‘Load Go.’