According to NFC World, mobile network operators Vodafone and Orange announced they will launch NFC payment services that utilize prepaid cash accounts in Spain by the end of this year. Vodafone revealed that customers in Spain will be able to use the Vodafone SmartPass to conduct mobile payments through a Visa prepaid card account. The program will take place across 250,000 stores in Spain by the end of 2013.
NFC-enabled phones can also add the Vodafone SmartPass application to their mobile phone. Customers without NFC phones will be given a contactless sticker to place on their phone. Vodafone aims to integrate credit and debit cards by 2014, as well as discount coupons and loyalty programs.
“Vodafone SmartPass assumes the next step in the revolution of smartphones because it allows our customers to benefit from the simplicity, safety, speed and convenience of managing their day-to-day transactions by just having their phone,” says Iñaki Cabrera, director of mcommerce at Vodafone Spain.
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