|
News
Issue #2002 - 07
(February 2002)
(Updated Feb.
20, 2002)
TECHNOLOGY
Vodafone Announces Micro-Payment
Trial
Vodafone has announced that
it has launched the first round of mobile payment business trials in
the U.K., Germany and Italy, which collectively represents over 50
million subscribers.
During the course of the trials, Vodafone will be testing its
global payment platform that enables participants to purchase
digital and physical goods at 50 on-line retailers using Web-enabled
devices. In time, Vodafone hopes to extend the service to vending
machine and retail store purchases.
After registering via Vodafone’s Web site, users obtain a
personal identification number that confirms and authorizes each
purchase.
The U.K.-based carrier said the customer’s payment and address
details are kept in a secure wallet, thus requiring no direct entry
of data over the Internet. All charges will be issued to the
subscriber’s phone bill.
Currently, Vodafone is holding discussions with banks and payment
service providers across Europe to develop an open interface to
accelerate the adoption of m-payments.
For more information: http://www.vodafone.com
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: There
is a battle going on between financial institutions and carriers to
control micro-payment part of m-commerce. We think that the banks are
not set up low-cost transaction processing that micro-payment
processing. But you do need the financial infrastructure that the
carriers do not have. We expect final solution that will be a
compromise between the two industries.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
|
