Third party to ensure efficient mobile payments

In France contactless mobile payments are increasing in popularity. Today there are five banks deploying Gemalto’s Allynis service as part of the "Payez Mobile" trial program for contactless mobile payment. Among them there is BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole-LCL, Crédit Mutuel-CIC, Caisse d’Epargne and La Banque Postale Groups.

Gemalto reports that "the Pegasus group, which consists of seven major banks and four mobile operators in France, launched the program in November 2007 with 1,000 user clients and 200 merchants in Caen and Strasbourg. The renewal of the Gemalto service contract until the end of 2008 reasserts its recognition as a trusted third party among the various parties involved in the mobile NFC ecosystem."

According to the surveys held by the Pegasus group users show much interest in this new practical, intuitive and fast payment means. The rate of customers’ satisfaction with the service reaches 90 percent. The most popular features attracting consumers are "all-in-one" approach and ease of use.

With Gemalto's services contactless mobile payment may be operated and managed irrespective of the network used by the client. The adoption of mobile devices as optional payment means is facilitated.

"We are very proud of the trust placed in us by the banks using Allynis as part of the "Payez Mobile" program," commented Philippe Cambriel, Executive Vice President of Secure Transactions at Gemalto. "Gemalto is a long-standing services partner of financial institutions. We now also provide them with these secure mobile NFC payment services from our data center. This latest step is part of an ongoing strategy of enhancing our offering."