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Australians may soon be able to use their mobile phones to pay for goods and services, rather than plastic credit or debit cards.
"In the not-too-distant future, customers will be able to walk into a shop, give their mobile a quick wave over a merchant’s contactless reader and simply walk out with their purchases,” reports NAB retail banking Executive General Manager Andrew Thorburn.
In early 2008, selected customers will participate in an Australian-first trial – a joint initiative of Telstra, NAB and Visa – using the cutting-edge mobile phone technology.
The trial, to be conducted in Melbourne, will put NAB customers at the forefront of easy, secure banking technology. Phone transactions have already been successfully tested in the United States and Asia.
Instead of having a wallet full of plastic cards, you could soon have them all supported on a single mobile phone, providing enhanced security and convenience,” says Telstra Group Managing Director, Enterprise and Government David Thodey.
Contactless-enabled mobile phones may also be used to hold loyalty, membership cards, marketing offers, public transport tickets and building access security cards.
