Residents of seven regional towns now have the option to settle their water utility payments through Ethio telecom's Telebirr mobile money platform. The state-owned operator has availed the services in Arba Minch, Harar, Bahir Dar, Finote Selam, Injibara, Dessie, and Combolcha after reaching agreements with the respective administrations. The Information Network Security Agency's Derash integrated payment platform is a crucial cog in the payment scheme. Officials hope the service will enhance the efficiency of water and sewerage service providers. Customers will be able to settle their bills remotely. Telebirr has garnered over 19 million subscribers since it was launched last May. Over 80 "super-agents", 67,000 agents, and 17,000 merchants have signed on. Ethio telecom began piloting pre-commercial 5G network services in Addis Abeba earlier this month.