O2 is planning to launch a UK contactless mobile payment service in the second half of this year. It’s applying for its own e-money licence, enabling it to hold funds on behalf of users without needing a partnership with a bank or card provider.
Full details still haven’t been confirmed, although the network says it wants to offer elements of the service to all its customers regardless of the mobile phone they’re using.
Orange and Barclaycard have recently announced plans for a mobile payment service using NFC technology.
In 2009 the network launched O2 Money, which offers Cash Manager and Load & Go Visa debit cards.
[Sources: Mobile News; totaltele.com]