BlackBerry Limited Thursday announced a series of new initiatives meant enhance the mobile payment capabilities for Indonesian users of BBM, the private social network available for smartphones running Android, BlackBerry, iOS or Windows Phone. These new initiatives will take the ability to connect and share using BBM one step further.

"By combining our DNA around security, and the real-time collaboration and privacy attributes of BBM, we are uniquely placed in the growing mobile payments space," John Sims, president of global enterprise services at BlackBerry, said in a statement. "These new mobile payments partnerships demonstrate how we have effectively evolved BBM from the best real-time chat experience to a true social engagement and e-commerce platform. Whether it's sending pictures and files to groups or contacts; sharing their location or sending money or airtime - all from within the BBM app - our users' real-time engagement experience will continue to get richer."

BBM Money

Developed by Monitise and issued and managed by PermataBank, BBM Money was initially made available in early 2013 to BlackBerry users offering basic mobile wallet services, according to a press release. The new BBM Money will also be made available to Android and iOS smartphone users regardless of who they bank with or whether they have a bank account. The new BBM Money will enable payments in participating retail stores and online, while continuing to benefit from bank-grade security measures including passcodes and encryption and leveraging BlackBerry's expertise and legacy in security and privacy.

Earlier this year, BlackBerry launched BBM Channels to give Indonesia's largest brands and retailers a social presence on BBM.

"Many of these brands and retailers have a huge following on BBM," said Matthew Talbot, senior vice president for emerging solutions at BlackBerry. "When you realize the amount of time that is spent using BBM to engage with friends, family and now brands, linking payments was a logical extension."

BBM integration with TransferTo

BBM will integrate with TransferTo's airtime transfer services which means users can send prepaid mobile credit to their contacts overseas from within the BBM app, according to the press release,

"Integrating TransferTo's global airtime remittance network with BBM will provide a simple and seamless way to enable small value transfers between people," Eric Barbier, CEO of TransferTo, said in a statement. "As almost 80 percent of mobile users are prepaid, sending prepaid airtime will enable BBM users to stay in touch with their friends and family overseas. Moreover, the added simplicity of the service will be a win for end users, while providing our mobile operator partners the opportunity to leverage the reach and level of engagement of the BBM user base."