Tag: hong kong mobile payments

The electronics company has announced that it is launching in Hong Kong by incorporating its tech into Octopus.

Sony Corp. has announced that it will be incorporating its FeliCa NFC technology into the popular Octopus contactless smart card program in Hong Kong, which will mean that riders will be able to use mobile payments to pay for transportation as well as retail purchases.

The public pilot launch was announced by Octopus Cards Ltd. for the first mobile payments service through the company.

The mobile payments service through Octopus will be enabled with the Sony FeliCa compatible NFC technology SIM card product, which they have called the Octopus Mobile SIM. This is the latest element to a broader effort being made by Sony to incorporate mobile solutions on a global scale.

The NFC technology SIM cards are SIM devices are compatible with near field communication.

This gives people with smartphones that are NFC technology enabled the ability to take advantage of the tech for mobile payments purposes in what they are calling a secure and multi-application format. This new partnered project with Octopus Cards Ltd. will make it possible for consumers to be able to use their devices to access the same services as those that are already available through the conventional products and cards already available through Octopus.

In order to use their devices in this way, consumers must install the Octopus payment applet based on FeliCa, for Octopus payments services on the Gemalto supplied NFC technology SIM card and then insert that card into their smartphone which is already compatible with near field communications.

The Sony Xperia models (including the Xperia V, Z, ZR, Z Ultra(3G), Z Ultra(LTE) and Z1) will be the first to be compatible with the NFC technology services, as they will be sold with the special SIM cards pre-installed when purchased with a subscription to the PCCW-HKT local mobile network operator’s paid service plan. The contactless FeliCa IC card tech has been built into Japanese mobile phones since 2004. Since that time, many different compatible services have been developed, from electronic money to public transportation fare and various forms of services involving ID.

Hong Kong residents now have access to new mobile payments service

A new mobile payments service has been launched in Hong Kong by Hang Seng Bank. The service leverages NFC technology to allow consumers to purchase goods from more than 1,000 outlets throughout Hong Kong. This service is one among several that have been introduced to Hong Kong in recent months, but Hang Seng aims to establish the service as a leader among consumers, a growing number of whom are demanding comprehensive and convenient mobile payments platforms.

Interest in mobile commerce rising among consumers

Hong Kong has long been an economic hub and home to tech-savvy consumers of all kinds. Consumers in Hong Kong have been very receptive of mobile commerce over the past few years, largely due to their interests in mobile technology and the high penetration of smartphones and tablets. These consumers particular favor online shopping, which is considered relatively convenient when conducted over a mobile device. Therefore, mobile payments have managed to establish a favored place with consumers.

Service leverages capabilities of NFC technology

The new mobile payments service is based entirely on NFC technology. That means that only NFC-enabled mobile devices can make use of the service provided by Hang Seng. These devices are relatively rare, but are becoming significantly more common with every passing month as device makers work to meet the demands of consumers. Currently, the most popular NFC-enabled device happens to be the Samsung Galaxy S III. Samsung recently released the Galaxy S4, which is also equipped with NFC technology, but this smartphone failed to perform up to the company’s standards in terms of sales.

NFC remains popular despite security concerns

Hang Seng believes that its mobile payments service will be well received among consumers. There are concerns regarding its use of NFC technology, however, due to how attractive this technology is to hackers. In the past, NFC technology has been explo

ited to access a consumer’s financial information. Such attacks have won NFC a fairly dubious reputation, but the technology remains one of the cornerstones of mobile payments.