Category: Mobile Payments

Optus releases new accessories to promote mobile payments

Optus is entering into Australia’s mobile payments space in order to meet consumer demand

Several companies are fighting to enter into Australia’s mobile payments market, but they are finding it difficult to do so. Optus, one of the country’s largest telecommunications organizations, will be moving into the mobile payments space to fill the gap in services that exists in the market. The demand for such services has risen dramatically over the past few years, with consumers wanting to use their smartphones and tablets to purchase products online.

New accessories will give mobile devices NFC capabilities

Optus has launched a new range of accessories that can be used on its existing Cash by Optus platform. These accessories are equipped with NFC technology and will allow consumers to give their smartpones the ability to make mobile payments. Devices equipped with the accessories can be used to send and receive payments of $100 or less. Optus believes that the new accessories will enable more consumers to participate in mobile commerce.

NFC technology continues to play a major part on the mobile commerce sector

Mobile Payments - NFC TechnlogyNFC technology plays a major role in the mobile commerce space. This technology allows digital information to be sent over short distances, which is ideal for mobile transactions. The problem, however, is that consumers must have NFC-enabled mobile devices in order to make these transactions. In the past, such devices were quite rare, which slowed the adoption of mobile commerce. While NFC-enabled devices are now quite plentiful, many consumers still lack access to NFC technology, which is why the new accessories from Optus may become so useful to consumers.

Apple and Google will face significant competition when they manage to come to Australia

Apple is looking to enter into Australia’s mobile payments market, but the company has encountered resistance from some of the country’s largest banks. Google is finding less resistance, however, and intends to release its new mobile payments system in Australia at some point later this year. Both Apple and Google will have to compete with Optus, which is likely to establish a strong foothold in the mobile commerce market before other companies manage to break into the market.

WeChat mobile payments rolls out in Hong Kong

The popular messenger app has just launched this new wallet service to users in this market.

The exceptionally poplar messenger app has now announced the launch of a WeChat mobile payments service that is now available to be used as a wallet application by consumers in Hong Kong.

The WeChat Pay service provides Hong Kong consumers with the ability to pay for purchases within the app.

The idea behind the WeChat mobile payments features is that as consumers use the app, they can buy what they want without ever having to exit the application. Essentially, it means their mobile wallet goes where they do while they’re using their smartphone or tablet. According to the Tencent head of Hong Kong and Taiwan Office, International Business Group, Norman Tam, “We are so excited to bring WeChat Pay, a new mobile experience that allows users to pay on the go in the simplest way, to Hong Kong.”

Tam explained that WeChat mobile payments provide both seamlessness and security to m-commerce.

WeChat Mobile Payments - Image of Hong KongHe explained that the mobile app has been specifically customized for users in the Hong Kong market. He said that while WeChat Pay gives users a solid mobile wallet option, it also provides “our partners with the benefit of a direct connection to WeChat’s massive community that other payment platforms cannot provide. This is truly a triple-win for us all.”

In order to be able to use the WeChat Pay service, users must enter their Visa or MasterCard information into their accounts in the app. In order to boost the security level of the transactions, users are then prompted to create a unique six digit PIN that they will need to remember and use every time they want to complete a purchase transaction within the app.

The setup process is meant to be quick and easy. Once it is complete, users gain the ability to immediately purchase products and services by tapping their smartphones on point of sale reader devices. Upon the launch of the WeChat mobile payments service, users are able to buy transportation fares, tickets, and travel products. According to reports on the new feature, there will be additional categories coming soon.