Cellular news
17th October 2008
Two German operators, O2 and Vodafone are launching a mobile payment service today (Friday), branded as mpass. The new mpass service combines the proven direct debiting scheme with a SMS payment confirmation on the mobile phone. In practice, this means that customers will in future be able to order a product in the internet shop or on the mobile portal. All they have to do is enter the mobile number and a mpass PIN of their choice.
The customers will subsequently receive a SMS which they confirm and get the amount debited from their bank account automatically.
The operators said that payment through two independent communications media significantly increases the security as entering sensitive and personal data like bank details and credit card numbers is not required anymore.
Lutz Schüler, General Manager, Marketing & Sales for Telefónica O2 Germany: “Our customers ask for simple and smart solutions. Our payment system takes account of this request. Effective immediately and without the need to register, the system offers about 14 million contract customers of Vodafone and O2 the possibility to pay online in an easy, rapid and secure manner – at home and on the go.”
Dr. Peter Walz, Member of the Executive Committee of Vodafone Deutschland and Director Arcor AG Strategy and Partner Companies: “The innovative payment service not only meets customer requirements. In addition, the payment method offers retailers many benefits like more efficient accounting processes or the acquisition of new customers who have been skeptical towards shopping and paying in cyberspace so far.”
