Blackhawk Network , a prepaid and payments network, Tuesday announced a partnership with Barclays Bank PLC, one of the leading U.K. banks, to launch a wide range of electronic gift cards onto its Pingit mobile banking service including entertainment, dining, gaming, fashion, health and beauty and leisure brands available to purchase as a gift or for self-use, according to a press release.

The companies will add the service to both Android and iOS device apps later this month.    

Originally launched in early 2012, Barclays Pingit was Europe's first free service for sending and receiving money using only mobile phone numbers. It enables anyone over 16 years old to make payments using just a mobile number. The service is connected to the bank accounts of Barclays customers, who in turn are able to send and receive funds. For non-Barclays customers, a digital wallet is created so payments, top-ups and withdrawals can be made, according to the announcement.

"Gifting through m-commerce is a leap forward for the payments market. For businesses, e-gifting is a cost-effective way to acquire new customers and maximize incremental spend," Matthew Howe, managing director for Europe at Blackhawk Network, said in a statement. "For consumers, the ability to purchase and send gift cards across digital channels provides far greater ease and convenience than having to make a trip to a particular merchant to purchase a physical gift card."