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MasterCard Launches MasterCard® PayPass™ on a Mobile Phone in Australia
Retailers At MasterCard Masters Equipped With MasterCard® PayPass™
Melbourne, 22 November 2007 - Showcasing global leadership in contactless payment technology, MasterCard Worldwide today announced the launch of Australia’s first trial of MasterCard® PayPass™ on a mobile phone at this year’s MasterCard Masters golf tournament. In conjunction with Commonwealth Bank, the MasterCard PayPass mobile phone trial will also include free giveaway of 3000 MasterCard PayPass cards by Commonwealth Bank. Each card will be loaded with $25 and can be used at any of the retailers at the MasterCard Masters, which have been set up with MasterCard PayPass readers. "Contactless payments technology is already extremely popular with consumers around the globe. The mobile phone trial and free MasterCard PayPass card giveaways at the MasterCard Masters will give Australians the chance to use this innovative next generation payment technology now," said Leigh Clapham, executive vice president, Australasia, MasterCard Worldwide. Commonwealth Bank is the first Australian bank to introduce a contactless payment solution like MasterCard PayPass to the Australian marketplace. "We're really excited about being the first Australian Bank to actually trial a contactless payment solution using Near Field Communication (NFC) to the Australian market," said Stephen Karpin, executive general manager credit cards, Commonwealth Bank. "The phone trial is an exciting way to showcase the technology and give everyone an indication of where the technology is heading." The phones use the NFC protocol to transmit data from the phone to PayPass readers. Cardholders need to simply tap the phone against the MasterCard PayPass reader at a merchant counter, wait for a beep, and the purchase is complete. The mobile phone trial of MasterCard PayPass in Australia draws on MasterCard’s success in rolling out MasterCard PayPass globally, with over 19 million PayPass cards and devices in use at over 73,000 merchants worldwide. "MasterCard also announced the launch of MasterCard PayPass in mobile phones in Japan last week, which follows a successful launch of the technology in Taiwan earlier this year, in addition to the United States and Korea," said Clapham. Showcasing MasterCard PayPass to leading Australian merchants at the Huntingdale course, MasterCard will demonstrate the enormous opportunities it offers Australian retailers and consumers. "For retailers, contactless technology reduces queues and increases the speed of transactions. For customers this means more convenience, providing them with a faster alternative to cash which is ideal for payment of small-ticket items," said Clapham. MasterCard has worked closely with industry players to add MasterCard PayPass capability to mobile phones, collaborating with Nokia and 7-Eleven to conduct consumer trials in the United States in 2006. About MasterCard PayPass
MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters and parking garages. As of Q3 2007, there are over 19 million MasterCard PayPass cards and devices in use at over 73,000 merchants worldwide, including new acceptance environments, such as vending, taxis, tollbooths and transit. PayPass is also accepted at numerous National Football League and Major League Baseball stadiums. For more information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit www.mastercard.com/paypass. About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard Worldwide serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com. Contacts:
Melissa Devine, 02 9818 0950, mdevine@ppr.com.au
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