Tag: ireland

Mobile payments lag in Ireland

| August 29, 2013

Ireland is lukewarm when it comes to mobile payments

Accenture, a market research firm, has released a new report concerning Internet services and mobile payments in Ireland. The report shows that Ireland is considered one of the leading countries when it comes to calls made through the Internet through services like Skype. Ireland is, however, lagging behind in terms of mobile payments. Mobile commerce has seen sluggish adoption throughout Ireland despite the interest that consumers have in online shopping and using their mobile devices in daily life.

Internet calls are popular among consumers

According to the report, approximately 74% of Irish consumers currently own smartphones, with one-third of consumers owning tablets. This is somewhat higher than the global average; 67% and 24% respectively. Approximately 34% of Irish consumers use their mobile devices to conduct Internet calls, higher than the global average of 28%. Many consumers favor Internet calls due to quality services and the convenience such communication services offer.

Mobile Payments IrelandMobile payments have yet to win favor

Mobile payments have not received the same favor from Irish consumers as Internet calls have, however. The report shows that only 12% of consumers currently participate in mobile commerce. One-third of consumers claim they plan to make mobile payments within the next 12 months. While many consumers are not participating in mobile commerce, 48% of these consumers claim that they would be willing to switch providers if they are offered better mobile payments services.

Mobile commerce may play a major role in the future

In Ireland, mobile payments are primarily made for tickets for events and transportation. Some consumers prefer mobile payments for online shopping, but the majority of Irish consumers have yet to warm to the concept of mobile commerce. As mobile technology begins to play a bigger role in the lives of consumers, however, mobile commerce is expected to gain traction. Eventually, Ireland may see a significant spike in mobile payments, driven by the introduction of comprehensive and efficient services that meet the needs of consumers.

New mobile commerce platform to launch in Ireland

| May 22, 2013

Mobile Commerce IrelandStripe aims to bring mobile commerce to Ireland

Stripe, a payment processing company, has been working on a mobile commerce platform recently and has plans to launch this platform in the coming months. The first market that will receive access to the Stripe platform will be Ireland, where mobile commerce has been attracting a significant level of attention over the past several months. Ireland will serve as a launch platform for Stripe before it moves into other markets throughout Europe.

European consumers demanding new platforms

European consumers are beginning to grow more comfortable with the idea of mobile commerce. The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has made it exceedingly easy for these consumers to get involved in online shopping. Companies like Telefonica, for example, are making a strong push to promote mobile commerce among consumers, but comprehensive platforms like Stripe are needed in order to ensure that consumers have a way to make mobile payments.

Stripe could be popular with businesses

The Stripe platform is not only designed for consumers, as it can also be used by companies that are interested in mobile commerce. The platform allows these companies to accept mobile payments from any platform, whether it be a website, mobile device, desktop, or tablet. This could be a well received tool in the retail sector as many companies have been seeking out new platforms that can help bolster their mobile commerce performance.

Stripe to face major competition

Though Stripe may have strong ambitions and the backing of powerful investors, it will still face strong competition in the mobile commerce space. Large companies like Square and Barclays have been pushing their way into this market, establishing a dominating presence therein. If Stripe can find a foothold with consumers and businesses, it may become Europe’s next mobile commerce phenomenon, effectively exposing many consumers to the idea of mobile payments.