Press Releases

Budapest, October 10, 2011 14:00

Having recognised the advantages inherent in the functionality, convenience, ease of handling and safety of the mWallet, Magyar Telekom, Telenor, Vodafone as well as MasterCard, OTP Bank and SuperShop, have established the Mobile Wallet Association. Their common goal is to be among the first in Europe to implement in Hungary  a harmonised mobile NFC based technology and, on its basis, innovative services that can be used quickly, safely and comfortably.

Founding members, who are committed to technological development and innovation, are convinced that the services to be built on the mobile NFC technology will intermediate real value and provide innovative experience and numerous other possibilities for customers. For this reason they have decided to jointly promote the establishment of mobile NFC based services and articulate as a recommendation the necessary technological standards, making proposals towards the successful implementation of the service, provide access to the service for partners and support and carry out the work of disseminating information related to the rollout of innovative services. The unified technological framework brought about through this cooperation may create a suitable basis for partners and local carriers in agreement with the goals of the association and intending to cooperate with it; it will render their adapting easier, may accelerate their entering the market, as well as the education of users and promote the diffusion of services.
As the mWallet is not connected to a specific service it is better adapted to the changing needs of users compared to individual applications and provides an integrating framework in which a broad range of carriers and user areas become attainable. The use of the mWallet will shift the focus on mobility and may bring about a new life-style: through its introduction some new and easier forms of paying with one's mobile phone, e-loyalty cards, coupons, public transport and entry tickets, which are rich in premium services, may become widespread. Thus not only will users be able to telephone, use the internet or play on their mobile phones, they will also be able to pay with it, go to museums and cinemas, and, furthermore, the use of reward cards may become easier in retail, filling station networks, fast meal catering and hotels.
The establishment of the  Mobile Wallet Association may be able to ensure that Hungary will be the first to introduce mobile NFC based - mWallet - services in Europe. The plans having been articulated by the founders - Telekom, Telenor, Vodafone and MasterCard, OTP Bank and SuperShop - include commercial services to be implemented in 2012, following the test applications to be launched this year.
In order to make services creative and user friendly, the Association plans to conduct still in this year a workshop introducing the activity of the Association as well as the possibilities inherent in the technology and, possibly, also promoting eventual connection to the service for those who are interested in the technology and affiliation. The date and place of the workshop will be announced subsequently. For further information see www.mobiltarcaegyesulet.hu.