3UK approached by Everything Everywhere, Vodafone and O2 to join m-payment venture (UK)
Mobile operators, Everything Everywhere along with O2 and Vodafone, are reportedly talking with operator 3 UK to join them in their joint venture for mobile payment services. According to reports, Vodafone plans to submit the proposals for the venture by early 2012.
The operators have reportedly said that the proposal will provide the European Commission with the relevant details associated with the venture as well as highlight the benefits provided to customers. As per sources, the joint venture will offer customers and retailers a common platform for mobile payment services, in collaboration with the banking industry.
Verizon Wireless blocks access to Google Wallet (USA)
U.S based wireless carrier Verizon Wireless has reportedly blocked Google’s mobile payment service titled ‘Google Wallet’ from Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone over security issues. According to reports, the mobile operator is currently working towards having the best security and user experience and has said that they would resume the service once these goals have been achieved.
As per sources, the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, powered by Google’s Android software will be Verizon’s first smartphone using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. With an increasing number of users using mobile payment services to pay for goods and services, mobile operators Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile are reportedly planning to invest US$ 100 million in a joint venture titled ‘Isis’. The joint venture which is scheduled to launch in certain markets by next year is expected to compete with Google Wallet.
EU regulators work towards improving mobile payment services (Europe)
European Union regulators are reportedly working towards improving the mobile payment services within Europe, as large corporates such as Google Inc, Apple Inc and Visa Inc have shown major interest in entering this business segment.
According to industry reports, the market for mobile payment is expected to be worth $ 50 billion globally by 2014, largely supported by the near field communication (NFC) technology. As per sources, the European Commission believes that the region lacks a concrete European framework that would enable customers to make financial transactions using their mobile phones. Further, sources claim that the number of m-payment users in Western Europe were 7.1 million as compared with 62.8 million users in the Asia-Pacific region.
As per reports, Visa and Visa Europe Ltd. had agreed to license mobile payments technology to Google, which could be incorporated into its new range of smartphones.
Bharti Airtel furthers m-payment services in Madagascar (Africa)
India’s leading mobile phone operator Bharti Airtel has reportedly begun the operation of its money-transfer service in Madagascar, in an attempt to provide financial services for the unbanked via their mobile devices. According to reports, Heiko Schlittke, Director, Airtel Madagascar, had earlier said that the service would compete with Orange SA’s Orange Money and the M-Vola product offered by Telma, the state-run phone company.
As per sources, the mobile operator has entered into an agreement with the taxi operators association, thereby enabling passengers to pay for their taxi fare using their Airtel Money account. Further, reports reveal that the operator has also provided around hundred taxis with the required reader equipment. The selected taxis will display the Airtel logo and the drivers will be required to wear a red jacket provided by Airtel.
Mobile operators form joint venture for Mobile Payments (Sweden)
In a move to further the facilitation of mobile payment services in the country, Sweden’s mobile operators – Telenor, Tele2, 3 and Telia, have reportedly formed a joint venture, which is expected to commercially launch its services next year.
The penetration of m-payment services in Sweden have shown considerable growth with an increasing number of customers using their mobile handset to pay for regular activities such as parking and public transport among others.
The joint venture will reportedly help extend the variety of services that can be carried out by a customer through the mobile handset. Further, sources claim that for users the venture will ensure uniformity amongst the services offered by the operators.
MTN and Visa offer new m-payment services (Africa)
South African operator MTN has reportedly tied up with Visa in order to provide m-payment services to unbanked users in emerging markets. According to reports, the service, known as Visa Mobile Prepaid, will be initially marketed in Nigeria and Uganda, as part of its existing mobile wallet service.
As per sources, Aletha Ling, COO, Fundamo (Visa) said that the service provides users with a new set of transaction options such as withdraw money from ATMs, transfer money, and pay bills as though they are using a typical card. She added that customers will not be able to use the product if there is no money in their mobile wallet, similar to a debit card, which is why Visa is describing it as ‘prepaid’.
Ling also said that they provide the solution to operators as well as the banks. Operators, in partnership with a bank, will be able to offer this feature as a value-added service under their brand.
Telefonica’s BluVia enters deal with Boku for online mobile payment services (Europe)
Telefonica’s developer program BlueVia has entered a deal with San Francisco based Boku, a global platform for online mobile payments, to provide it with mobile payment back-end services. This deal will provide Telefonica’s 295 million subscriber base a secure and reliable bank-grade billing platform, enabling users to make purchases online using their mobile number and getting the bills charged to their mobile bill.
This new partnership will make it possible for BlueVia to bill customers as well as provide a solution to the consumer segment that does not currently have access to credit cards or other payment capabilities. The deal will make it easier for Telefonica customers to make in-app payments helping the company increase revenue. Boku currently operates in 65 countries across 230 carriers.
Bank of America launches NFC m-payment trial for BlackBerry users (USA)
Bank of America, US financial services provider is planning to invite BlackBerry users to try a mobile payment program powered by NFC chips. The project is scheduled for launch in Spring. Trial participants need either a Visa debit card or a MasterCard credit card through Bank of America.
The trial targets BlackBerry Curve 8520, 8530, Tour 9630, Bold 9000, 9650 and 9700 handsets users. Customers who opt to participate in the trial program will receive an NFC-enabled battery cover and a microSD memory card.
TSYS partner with Cassis for mobile NFC payments (US, Singapore)
US payment processor, TSYS has inked a partnership deal with Cassis International, a Singapore-based Company to provide secure mobile payment, loyalty and commerce functionality.
Cassis is a mobile trusted service manager for banks, retailers, transit operators and mobile service providers and is globally certified by Visa and MasterCard.
Mobile Payment launches nationally at Starbucks in the USA
The coffee retail chain, Starbucks has announced that all of its USA based stores are now accepting payments via mobile phones. This national program now includes nearly 6,800 company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target locations.
According to Brady Brewer, Vice President Starbucks Card and Brand Loyalty, today, one in five Starbucks transactions is made using a Starbucks Card and mobile payment will extend the way their customers experience and use their Starbucks Card.
To use mobile payment at Starbucks, customers just need to download the free Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry smartphones, iPhone or iPod touch mobile devices. More than one-third of U.S. Starbucks customers use smartphones, of which nearly three quarters use BlackBerry smartphone or iPhone mobile devices.
In addition to the mobile payment capability, the app allows customers to manage their Starbucks Card account, check their card balance, reload their card with any major credit card (iPhone users can also use the PayPal feature), check their My Starbucks Rewards status and find a nearby Starbucks store with the store locator feature.
Customers can pay with their smartphone by holding their mobile device in front of a scanner on the countertop and scan the Starbucks Card Mobile App’s on-screen barcode to make a purchase. Customers have successfully adopted this technology in test markets in Seattle, Northern California, New York and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target stores.
