M-commerce steps into stoplight with Nokia, Visa teaming
by Mike Dano
Sept. 23, 2003 1:19 PM EST
The mobile commerce industry saw several new announcements and partnerships in conjunction with the Mobile Commerce World Europe 2003 event in London, but the most notable event included a teaming of perhaps the biggest names in the wireless and commerce industries.
Nokia Corp. and Visa announced they will team to offer payment services embedded in Nokia mobile phones. Nokia said it will include Visa's payment technology in its new wallet application, which is currently available in the Nokia 6220 and 6600. Visa's Verified by Visa technology will allow users to input passwords and credit card details into their phones, secured by PIN numbers, and that information can then be used to make secure payments using the phones.
"By extending the 3-D Secure specification beyond the traditional fixed-line Internet, we can ensure that secure payments can be made also in the mobile domain," said Guido Mangiagalli, head of new channels for Visa EU. "The success of these mobile payments will depend on having easy and convenient devices such as the one we are announcing today. We believe that this will help the mobile channel to grow in importance and want Visa to be the preferred choice of mobile commerce payment, just as it is in other channels."
Interestingly, Nokia recently announced a trial service with MasterCard International, offering a similar service.
In other mobile commerce news, Encorus Technologies released a new version of its PaymentWorks Mobile platform, which the company said allows wireless operators to offer mobile payment services. The company's customers include Vodafone Group plc and T-Mobile International AG.
Finally, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) said it has defined the operation and interoperability of m-signatures, which the group said will allow wireless companies to offer secure, interoperable mobile commerce services.
