Telefónica España - the Spanish mobile network operator owned by the parent of O2 UK - has launched a contactless NFC mobile payment project for its staff. It’s called ‘Distrito NFC’ and is available at the network’s headquarters in Madrid.
1,000 Telefónica employees have been given Samsung NFC devices that’ll let them use their mobile phones for payment in and around the business campus. They can also use their NFC device to unlock the site’s entry turnstile. Over 10,000 additional employees are expected to be added to the scheme as it develops.
Guillermo Ansaldo, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica Spain, said “By launching this initiative and other similar projects which we will deploy in other countries where we operate, Telefónica aims to prepare for deployment in Spain and lead the way in NFC development. It is estimated that the number of mobile NFC enabled mobile handsets will reach 260 million in 20141 while the value of the transactions made will surpass 80 billion euros worldwide".”