O2 Launches Chip and PIN Mobile POS Service

LONDON, October 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

First UK mobile network operator to introduce mobile card payment solution offering boost to smaller businesses

We've announced a new Mobile Point of Sale service (mPOS), with Visa Europe and Global Payments which allows retailers to accept credit and debit card payments simply via mobile technology.

mPOS makes accepting card payments a breeze for retailers and customers. A low cost chip & PIN Pad accessory is connected to the retailer's existing Smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. A free eMerit app downloaded on the mobile or tablet manages the card payment transaction, and then sends the customer a receipt via email and/or SMS if required.

It's available on Android and BlackBerry now, with the iOS version coming soon.

MD of O2 Money, James le Brocq said: "At O2 we understand the importance of the mobile device in digital payments. Our new mPOS service has the ability to transform the revenues of smaller businesses and sole traders by offering their customers the ability to pay with Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards as an alternative to cash.

"mPOS is the latest addition to our portfolio of financial products and services which includes mobile insurance, tablet insurance and more recently, O2 Wallet, an innovative new service designed to digitise your physical wallet onto your mobile."

Chris Davies, Managing Director of Global Payments, said: "We are excited to be working with O2 on such an innovative product and we're really looking forward to working together to provide SMBs with access to new payment opportunities."

Sandra Alzetta, Senior Vice President of Mobile at Visa Europe said: "This latest innovation is an exciting partnership for Visa, O2 and Global Payments. We want to unlock the value of electronic payments for smaller retailers - by getting this device into the hands of tradesmen, home-based businesses and market stall operators, we believe we can help them sell more products and services to consumers who forgot to withdraw enough cash."

Find out more information at http://www.o2.co.uk/business/mobile-payment-services

All O2 news releases can be accessed at our website:  http://www.o2.co.uk/news

About Global Payments

Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) is a leading provider of electronic transaction processing services for merchants, Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs), financial institutions, government agencies and multi-national corporations located throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. 

Global Payments, a Fortune 1000 company, offers a comprehensive line of processing solutions for credit and debit cards, business-to-business purchasing cards, gift cards, electronic check conversion and check guarantee, verification and recovery including electronic check services, as well as terminal management.  Visit http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com for more information about the company and its services.

About O2

O2 is the commercial brand of Telefónica UK Limited and is a leading communications company with over 23 million customers - read more about O2 at http://www.o2.co.uk/news. O2 runs 2G and 3G networks and was the first to trial 4G/LTE, reaching speeds of over 100Mpbs, as well as owning half of Tesco Mobile. It also operates O2 Wifi, O2 Health and has recently launched the O2 Wallet. O2 employs over 11,000 people in the UK, has 450 retail stores and sponsors The O2, O2 Academy venues and the England rugby team. Telefónica UK Limited is part of Telefónica Europe plc which uses O2 as its commercial brand in the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic and is a business division of Telefónica SA.

SOURCE O2