Vodafone and O2 back German m-payments service

Further dipping their toes into the m-payments arena, Vodafone and O2 are set to launch a new service in Germany to provide over 70 million bank and mobile phone subscribers with access to secure online shopping on their handsets or PC.

The new service, branded mpass, can be tied to a user's debit account enabling them to make online purchases by entering their mobile number and PIN. Before the purchase is cleared, users will receive a follow up SMS requesting confirmation. Promoters of the technology claim it is more secure as users have no need to enter bank account or debit/credit card information when making online purchases.

Lutz Schüler, GM of marketing & sales for O2 Germany, said, "Effective immediately and without the need to register, the system offers about 14 million contract customers of Vodafone and O2 the possibility to pay online in an easy, rapid and secure manner--at home and on the go."

Perhaps more importantly, the new mpass payment system will be supported by a number of online retailers at launch, including CinemaxX, Blume2000.de, EuroFuchs, Kickz and Beate Uhse.

For more on this story:
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