ING Bank Launched Pilot Program For Mobile Payment Service In Romania

Romania is the first country where the bank tests its payment solution based on the MaestroPayPass system.

"ING Romania now launches the first stage of the ING Mobile Payments pilot program, which we’ll develop after we assess reactions from consumers and economic operators,’ Roggemans said, adding mobile phone payments will be then next big thing.

The pilot program will last six months and then results will be assessed, said Adrian Apolzan, head of the bank’s cards retail client services department.

"By the end of the year, we’ll have 125 clients for this service, which will be tested for six months by a total 500 people. The new system can be used in 30-40 locations," Apolzan said.

To use this payment solution, clients need to have mobile phones compatible with Near Filed Communication (NFC) technology and access to GPRS services offered by mobile operators accepted by ING Bank, namely Orange and Vodafone, the bank said in a statement.

ING clients selected for the first stage of the pilot program will receive a Nokia 6121 mobile phone which incorporates NFC technology that ensures payment security and allows wireless communication with terminals of economic operators. The service may be used for sums of up to 80 lei (EUR1=RON3.8131).