Oberthur Technologies Supports Android Pay Australia Launch

Oberthur Technologies (OT) has announced its support for Android Pay, set to launch in Australia this year.

As a provider of security software products, services and solutions, OT will support Financial Institutions with its Digital Enablement Platform to allow Android Pay to be used by their customers. Those customers can do so using NFC-enabled Android devices (running KitKat 4.4 and higher).

“Mobile payments is a big priority for Google and we’re working to support a wide range of issuers to make Android Pay available to everyone,” says Pali Bhat, Senior Director of Product Management for Google. “OT’s integration takes us one step further in this direction.”

OT’s Digital Enablement Platform supports enrollment, mobile provisioning and token lifecycle management in digital wallets, irrespective of the underlying technologies and related security, either hardware or software-based secure elements.

And with the Australian launch, OT and Google’s Android Pay will bring those FIs a platform to enable and operate the service.

“We are very proud to work with Google on the deployment of Android Pay, in particular in Australia, which is one of the most advanced contactless markets and therefore of strategic importance for OT’s digital payments activities. We are convinced that our technology assets and international experience in the field of digital security and mobile issuance will help accelerate the availability of Android Pay to end-users.” said Marek Juda, Managing Director of OT’s Connected Device Makers business.

Apple Pay is currently in the Australian mobile payments market, but in a limited capacity. Those looking to use Apple Pay in those regions can only do so using American Express. And they can only use American Express cards issued by Amex itself, not from banks. What had been holding Apple Pay back in Canada is the same issue it’s been having in other regions of the world: Banks aren’t necessarily on board with Apple Pay because of the fees associated with transactions.