New initiative aims to promote use of 'pay-buy-mobile' handsets.
The GSM Association has called for full near field communications (NFC) functionality - including the standardised ‘Single Wire Protocol’ interface - to be built into commercially available handsets from mid-2009.NFC technology can communicate with so-called contact-less readers to deliver payments. So, for example, someone buying a train ticket can waive their handset across a reader and have the amount deducted from their phone bill, credit card or debit card.
Specifically, the GSMA says it supports the need for the ETSI endorsed ‘Single Wire Protocol’ standard to provide the interface between the Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC, or SIM card) and the embedded NFC chipset within the handset.
The trade body says several trials under its ‘Pay-Buy-Mobile’ initiative have demonstrated that consumers can use UICC-based NFC handsets to quickly, easily and securely pay for goods and services in shops, restaurants and train stations.
Trials are underway across eight countries involving nine mobile operators as part of the GSMA’s Pay-Buy-Mobile initiative. Further pilots are planned across 14 countries by 15 mobile operators.
In Taiwan a trial of over 200 users by operator FarEasTone found that 90 per cent of people felt positive toward to this new service. Eighty per cent of people were satisfied that the service is secure, and 40 per cent said they would switch their monthly spending to a mobile credit card service.
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Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA, said: “We are committed to ensuring that mobile payment services are delivered as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. But this will require device manufacturers to make sure that the vast majority of commercially available handsets incorporate the Single Wire Protocol and Near Field Communications features as standard."
