Who will emerge as a leader in mobile payments is not clear
Mobile payments are beginning to disrupt traditional forms of commerce as more consumers begin to rely more heavily on the smartphones and tablets. These devices have made it exceedingly convenient for consumers to purchase products and services either online or in-store. As mobile payments become more prolific, the mobile commerce market is beginning to brim with competition. Several countries and companies have invested heavily in this market, but it is not entirely certain who will emerge as the dominant force within this industry.
Report shows that consumers are eager for new mobile commerce services
BI Intelligence, a market research and analysis firm, has released a new report that offers insight on mobile payments and those that are leading the way in the current market. According to the report, much of the mobile commerce world is driven by what consumers want. Consumer demand, for instance, has lead to the development of mobile payments platforms that can be used both online and at physical stores. Approximately 52% of consumers wanted such platforms, which are likely to become significantly more available in the coming years.
Singapore among the top countries ready to embrace mobile payments
The report suggests that companies like Square and PayPal are likely to thrive in the coming years, largely due to their very early adoption of mobile payments. Both Square and PayPal have a heavy focus on the mobile space, making them more attuned to the demands coming from consumers than their competitors. In terms of countries, Singapore is considered to have the most mobile commerce “readiness,” with the U.S. and the United Kingdom boasting of average readiness.
US and European consumers are not fully accepting of mobile commerce
While companies could see significant progress in the realm of mobile commerce in the coming years, consumers have yet to be fully won over by mobile payments. BI Intelligence notes that only 10% of consumers in the U.S. and Europe participate in mobile payments. Many are willing, but concerns regarding security are keeping most consumers tethered to traditional forms of commerce.
Visa and Monitise extend mobile payments partnership
Visa has announced that it is expanding its partnership with Monitise, a mobile payments company. The two companies have been working to expand the reach of mobile commerce throughout Europe and have been met with promising success thus far. Visa now aims to extend its partnership with Monitise through a new three-year commercial agreement. Per the agreement, the two companies will continue expanding into the European mobile commerce market, developing new mobile payments solutions that are designed with financial institutions in mind.
Mobile commerce is growing more popular among financial groups due to consumer demand
Mobile payments have been a relatively easy sell to consumers. Many people have shown their willingness to use their smartphones and tablets to purchase goods and services. The concept has been more difficult to sell to financial institutions, which are more concerned with the risks associated with mobile commerce rather than its convenience. Despite these concerns and a reluctance to support mobile commerce, many European financial institutions are seeing rising demand from customers concerning mobile payments. Thus, these organizations are beginning to take steps to accommodate the wants of their customers.
New solutions to be introduced to European market
Through the agreements, Visa will be able to make use of mobile technology developed by Monitise. This technology will be put to use in the development of new mobile payments solutions. As these solutions take form, Visa will help promote them to European markets as well as help ensure that these solutions are secure against the threats that exist in the mobile world. Visa and Monitise have already deployed mobile payments services to more than 3,000 banks and financial institutions in Europe and the two companies are expected to look to take advantage of this momentum.
Visa and Monitise seek to dominate Europe with mobile payments
Visa notes that the way people pay for goods and services is changing. More people have access to smartphones and tablets than ever before and these consumers are finding that mobile commerce offers them a convenient and safe way to make purchases. Visa and Monitise will work to continue establishing their commanding presence in the European market, hoping to fortify themselves against competing parties that are looking to do the same.
