German companies are working together to promote mobile commerce throughout the market
NFC-based mobile payments are receiving more attention in Germany. The country’s retailers and mobile carriers are beginning to promote NFC technology as a way to participate in mobile commerce. A growing number of consumers have been demanding new mobile services that allow them to purchase products with their mobile devices. Many of these services are based on NFC technology, but relatively few German companies have embraced this technology in order to engage mobile consumers.
2,000 NFC-enabled payment terminals to be deployed in Germany
Vodafone Germany, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefonica are working with six major retailers throughout Germany to introduce new mobile point-of-sale terminals. Some 2,000 of these terminals are being provided to retailers in Germany. These terminals are equipped with NFC technology that will allow them to accept transactions being made from mobile devices. In order for these transactions to be conducted, however, the devices themselves will also have to make use of NFC technology.
NFC technology continues to play a major role in the mobile payments space
NFC-enabled mobile devices had been rare in the past, but these devices are now quite common throughout several prominent markets. NFC technology currently makes up the majority of the mobile payments infrastructure, and devices that are equipped with the technology have little trouble participating in the mobile commerce space. Retailers have been somewhat slow to embrace the technology, however, due to the costs associated with purchasing and upgrading existing point-of-sale terminals. With the help of other large companies, retailers may be able to mitigate these costs and establish a foothold in the mobile payments scene.
Germany’s mobile commerce market is beginning to become more lively
Germany’s mobile commerce scene is somewhat less active than what can be found in other markets. While consumers have shown significant interest in mobile payments, they have not shown aggressive support for services that allow them to pay for products with their smartphones and tablets. This may change in the coming years, as retailers become more accommodating of mobile shopping.
Rumors suggest that Google may be looking to buy Softcard
Google may be in negotiations to acquire Softcard, the mobile payments firm that had once been known as Isis. Rumors suggest that Google may be looking to purchase Softcard for some $100 million, but neither company has confirmed this speculation or denied that negotiations are taking place. Google has a strong interest in mobile payments, having a payment platform of its own that has found modest success. The company has been working to establish a stronger foothold in the mobile commerce space in order to compete with others therein.
Softcard hit by layoffs during restructuring effort to become more efficient
Earlier in the month, Softcard laid off 60 of its employees during a consolidation phase. The company is taking steps to reduce the costs that it is exposed to in order to strengthen its business position. The layoffs were part of a larger restructuring of the company, which involves simplifying its organizational structure in order to be more efficient. This is not an uncommon practice in the business world, especially when it comes to the turbulent mobile payments industry.
Company helps 200,000 merchants accept NFC-based mobile payments from Android and Windows Phone devices
Softcard exists as a way for large organizations to embrace mobile consumers with NFC-enabled devices. The firm offers NFC-based payment systems, which allow companies to accept transactions being made with mobile devices that are using NFC technology. Softcard claims that more than 200,000 merchants in the United States are making use of this service, as well as the Softcard application, which is available for both Windows Phone and Andorid.
Other companies show potential interest in the acquisition of Softcard
Google may not be the only company that is interested in Softcard. Rumors suggest that both PayPal and Microsoft have approached the company concerning potential acquisition. None of these companies have confirmed that these rumors are true, however. In Google’s case, the company is adamant in not acknowledging such rumors, apart from noting that it does not confirm rumors about its business operations.
