Tag: t-mobile

Windows Phone users will be able to make mobile transactions thanks to Softcard

People with Windows Phones will now be able to make mobile payments thanks to a new application from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The new Softcard app was released for Windows Phone last week, giving the platform one of its first mobile wallets that is supported by a wide range of retail companies. Softcard, formerly known as ISIS, is a mobile payment company that has been growing in popularity for some time, offering consumers an effective mobile wallet with a wide range of features.

Softcard offers to store consumer information to make transactions more convenient

Using Softcard, a consumer can store their financial information on a mobile device. They can also use the Softcard application to store information from retailers regarding loyalty programs and special offers. The app also facilitates mobile payments, using NFC technology to accomplish this task. In order to make a payment, however, a merchant must also support NFC technology, as well as the mobile wallet itself.

200,000 retailers in the US support Softcard

Some 200,000 retailers throughout the U.S. currently accept mobile transactions from Softcard and other NFC-based payment services. These retailers have adopted NFC-enabled point-of-sale systems that allow people to purchase products using their smartphones rather than credit and debit cards or physical currency. Softcard currently only works with a limited number of credit cards as well, supporting American Express, Wells Fargo, and Chase cards.

New mobile commerce services may be coming to the Windows Phone in the future

Windows Phone users have had very limited options in the mobile commerce space in the past. There are few applications currently available for the platform that are capable of facilitating mobile transactions, leaving Windows Phone users somewhat on the fringe of the mobile commerce space. Softcard is one of the first big name services that has come to the Windows Phone operating system, but it may not be the last. Windows Phone users may be in the minority when it comes to mobile consumers, but the demand for mobile commerce services among this demographic is quite high and growing quickly.

The telecom giant has stated that it is open to negotiations for the sale of the fourth largest American wireless carrier.

Deutsche Telekom AG has announced that it is open to discuss the sale of its T-Mobile unit, if it receives an offer that values it at a minimum of $35 per share.

This would mean that the fourth largest U.S. wireless carrier could soon be in different hands.

Some of the Deutsche Telekom senior managers had used the opportunity of a strategy meeting in Berlin, last week, to discuss the valuation of T-Mobile, according to reports that have been made from a source who is close to the matter, but who has remained anonymous due to the confidential nature of the negotiations. The American wireless carrier has previously rejected an offer by Iliad SA of France, which occurred last month at a bid of $33 per share. By the time that this article was written, no higher offer had been presented.

The valuation of T-Mobile by Deutsche Telekom has, however, opened the door to better bids by Iliad or others.

Other potentials could include Dish Network Corp., as it had previously been in negotiations with Sprint Corp., which finally withdrew from talks in August.

Since John Legere became chief executive officer of the wireless carrier, it has managed to add millions of new customers to its previous totals. However, at the same time, holding onto that business comes with a number of potential risks for a parent company. For example, in the American market, it has considerable competition from Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc in the spectrum auctions that will be held both this year and next year. Moreover, spending must be steadily continued in order to continually upgrade its network.

Deutsche Telekom has a 67 percent stake in T-Mobile. After the announcement of the company’s interest in selling off that ownership – provided that the right offer is made – the wireless carrier’s stock immediately rose by 1.4 percent. It has been valued at $24.1 billion. Right before the announcement, in Frankfurt, the parent company saw a 0.9 percent dip in its own stock price.