Author: Stephen

Mobile commerce is growing in Australia

| April 7, 2016

National Australia Bank is finding more momentum in the mobile payments space

Mobile commerce is gaining momentum in Australia, according to the National Australia Bank. The bank has announced that the uptake of new payment platforms has exceeded expectations, with some 18,000 consumers downloading the company’s NAB Pay application. This accounts for approximately 60,000 mobile transactions since the service was launched earlier this year. Other payment platforms are experiencing similar growth in the country as more consumers become comfortable with the concept of mobile commerce.

NAB Pay is gaining popularity among consumers interested in mobile shopping

The NAB Pay application is particularly popular among those purchasing lunch, coffee, and snacks. These consumers are using the app to make purchases at cafes and fast food restaurants at a higher frequency than those using contactless payment cards. During the work week, transactions made through NAB Pay spike during lunchtime and between 6pm and 7pm. As such, the vast majority of transactions are below $100, though some consumers are using NAB Pay to make larger purchases, especially those that are interested in electronics.

Companies are looking to make mobile payments more secure for consumers

Australia - Mobile CommerceMany banks in Australia have begun investing in mobile payments, hoping to provide better services to consumers with smartphones. These investments are beginning to focus on security features, hoping to make the mobile commerce space safer for consumers. Security has long been a major issue for consumers, many of whom believe that their financial information is at risk of exploitation. These concerns have prevented many people from participating in mobile commerce, but as payment services become more secure, many consumers are beginning to use their devices to shop online and in physical stores.

National Australia Bank is establishing a strong position in the mobile commerce market

Australia is becoming a prominent mobile payments market, with several organizations looking to bring their new payment services to the country. The National Australia Bank is becoming a major player in this market, but will be competing with other organizations that have already established a foothold in this space.

SK Telecom launches new hands-free mobile payments service

| April 5, 2016

New service will allow consumers to make mobile transactions without using their hands

South Korean telecommunications company SK Telecom is launching a hands-free mobile payments service that features its own rewards program. The new service, called T Pay, has already accrued 100,000 subscribers, who will be able to make use of its Bluetooth technology to make payments without having to hold their mobile devices. All purchases made through the service will be charged to customer’s existing mobile phone bills and consumers above the age of 19 will have a $427 purchasing limit through the service every month.

Mobile commerce is gaining popularity among younger consumers

Approximately 65% of T Pay’s current subscribers are aged in their 20s and 30s. Among this demographic, mobile payments have become quite popular. Many of these people are relying heavily on their mobile devices to shop online and in physical stores and the demand for loyalty programs is growing among consumers. SK Telecom is looking to take advantage of growing interest in mobile commerce in the hopes to establish more success in this sector. Competition in this market is quite fierce, however, which has lead SK Telecom to develop an innovative new service in order to establish a competitive edge.

Voice commands will be used to make mobile transactions through T Pay

SK telecom - Mobile PaymentsAfter downloading the T Pay application, consumers can purchase items with a simple voice command. A store’s point-of-sale system would collect payment information from a mobile device’s Bluetooth technology. Cashiers would identify a user through the use of a nickname and a mobile phone number, which would appear on the screen of their point-of-sale system. SK Telecom believes that this is one of the most economical and convenient ways for consumers to make purchases in physical stores.

Loyalty program may make T Pay more attractive to consumers

Customers that use T Pay to make purchases will also gain access to special discounts through the T Membership program. The program is designed to reward consumers for their loyalty to the new mobile payments service. Such programs have been in high demand recently, as mobile consumers want more value out of the new payment services that they are making use of.