Contactless mobile payment systems have been a subject of much debate and discussion. Many who support the tech claim it is a way to streamline service as many customers use their cellphones for so much and the next step would be to add the ability to pay for items through ones mobile phone (using NFC or “Near Field Communications” technology) by simply waving it in front of a dedicated device. Those who oppose it claim it’s a breach of privacy and opens up the way for more identity theft.
That said, those who have hoped for such a system can rejoice as the first contactless payment systems will be coming to UK consumers in the summer of 2011. The companies behind the initial rollout, Barclaycard and Orange, which had announced their partnership back in 2009, believe that the launch of this system will be the biggest revolution in payment systems since the introduction of the credit cards more than 40 years ago.
Commenting on the announcement, Gerry McQuade, Chief Development Officer of Everything Everywhere said the following: “We’re making something that’s been talked about for many years a reality and very soon, using your mobile to buy a sandwich, a cinema ticket or in time, even something bigger like a computer will simply be the norm. As Britain’s biggest communications company, we’re proud to be delivering this technical and cultural innovation to the UK through the Orange brand. Orange and Barclaycard customers will be the first to be able to use their mobiles to make payments on the high street wherever contactless payments are accepted. This is part of our wider strategy to re-define what people use their mobiles for, with mobile payments being the start.”
Source: Orange Newsroom
