Europe gets first prepaid NFC iPhone mobile wallet

Kalixa Group, DeviceFidelity and MasterCard have announced the launch of the moneto prepaid wallet in the UK. The wallet allows users to pay for goods at MasterCard retails outlets using NFC on an iPhone.

The wallet enables near field communications (NFC) functionality on an iPhone, allowing users to tap and pay for goods at thousands of MasterCard retail outlets across the country. The service will soon be compatible with Android mobile phones, and is set to be rolled-out across other European countries in the coming months.

moneto integrates NFC technology into a consumer’s mobile phone using the DeviceFidelity patented microSD NFC technology and combines it with an application to offer the convenience, control and flexibility of prepaid in a secure and mobile environment. Users can access account information on the move, check their balance in real-time, locate merchants and ATM’s and, unique to moneto, make wallet-to-wallet transactions.

The wallet offers the following benefits to users:

‚”The UK is one of the fastest growing prepaid markets in the world and is a leader in terms of NFC and contactless acceptance at the point of sale. By enabling iPhone users to make smart, simple and secure NFC transactions we are taking an enormous step towards making mobile money an everyday reality for consumers,‚” said Ed Chandler, CEO of Kalixa Group. ‚”moneto is an example of how Kalixa is working with leading industry players like MasterCard and DeviceFidelity to make people’s lives better through innovative payment services.‚”

‚”We are excited to deliver the first ever NFC mobile payment service to iPhone users in the UK,‚” said Philippe Marineau, VP of Business Development, Europe, DeviceFidelity. ‚”moneto is a truly versatile solution that brings ground breaking innovation to payments by incorporating plug and play NFC functionality with MasterCard PayPass technology for the ultimate integration of mobile money.‚”

‚”Momentum behind NFC technology continues to gather pace around the world, and moneto is a breakthrough service for the European market, ‚” said Marion King, UK & I President at MasterCard . ‚”Soon consumers across Europe will be able to use the moneto wallet to make NFC payments with an iPhone. The service is an important part of our strategy to develop the next generation of payments for a world beyond cash.‚”

moneto is powered by the issuing, processing and acquiring technology that is behind Kalixa’s flagship prepaid MasterCard, Kalixa Pay. The wallet also uses a combination of the MasterCard PayPass technology and DeviceFidelity’s iCaisse technology to enable tap & go payments on the iPhone.

Android and iPhone 5 compatibility, as well as service roll-outs to other European markets, will be announced soon.

iPhone 4 and 4S customers can order the service directly from www.moneto.co.uk

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