Ukranian mobile operator Kyivstar is to launch the country’s first ever SIM based NFC
Ukranian mobile operator Kyivstar is to launch the country’s first ever SIM based NFC payment via a mobile phone.
payment via a mobile phone.
Working in conjunction with Kyivstar, Alfa Bank’s pilot paves the way for a full commercial launch of NFC mobile payments across Ukraine. Kyivstar is the Ukrainian business unit of VimpelCom Ltd, with a total customer base of over 25 million subscribers – Gemalto has supplied its UpTeq Multi-tenant SIM.
“Kyivstar is committed to delivering an outstanding mobile payment experience,” says Alexey Kireev, Head of New Business Department at Kyivstar. “Our goal is to continue developing mobile finance products at Kyivstar extensively in 2014. We are glad to be working with one of the world’s most trusted partners for NFC.”
This first introduction of mobile payments in the country will put new standards of convenience within reach of millions of Kyivstar subscribers. The UpTeq SIM design incorporates a unique multi-tenant architecture that facilitates simple and fast on-boarding of new service providers to create a value proposition for mobile operators, banks, transit and loyalty schemes.
“NFC technology virtually transforms a smartphone into a fully functional ‘mobile purse‘, which offers Alfa-Bank customers a trendy, ubiquitous payment method,” notes Piotr Kaczmarek, Director of Retail Business, Alfa-Bank (Ukraine). « And you may use it anywhere you come across a contactless payment terminal.”
At present there are an estimated 22,000 contactless payment terminals in Ukraine.
The post Ukraine to launch SIM based NFC payment appeared first on Payments Cards & Mobile.
