Belgacom trials mobile payments at Coca-Cola drink dispensers

Belgacom announced it is partnering with Accor Services, Delhaiuze and Coca-Cola to pilot Ping.Ping, a new mobile payment service. The contactless NFC feature will be tested at drink dispensers and for canteen purchases with the help of 500 Belgacom staff.

The Belgian telecommunications company is deploying the technology of Tunz 40% stake of which is hold by the Belgacom.

The new technology enables customers to make contactless and peer-to-peer payments, transfer funds and view transactions, and is available to subscribers of all Belgian mobile operators. Another benefit of the wallet is that it can be accessed via SMS text message, a Java application or online.

Moreover, Belgacom and m-payments vendor eServGlobal have announced the successful completion of the testing held over HomeSend, the service aimed at mobile phone-based international money transfer. The partners were selected by the GSMA, the representative of the worldwide mobile communications industry interests. 

GSMA has stated that 175 million migrants are currently using remittance services, sending some $320 billion to about 800 million dependent recipients. The amounts are expected to reach $700 billion by 2012. However, World Bank report forecasts remittances to fall by $15 billion, and reach $290 billion this year due to the continuing global recession.