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Sprint Slated to Start Mobile Payments
According to a Bloomberg News story, Sprint is planning on starting a service this year that will allow customers to make purchases with their mobile phones. The wireless carrier is working with payment networks and handset makers on technology called near-field communication (NFC), which allows people with smartphones to make purchases by tapping them on or waving them in front of electronic readers.
Sprint's differentiator is that they intend to make it an open solution where consumers can use their phone in a variety of physical locations. Kevin McGinnis, vice president of product platforms said, "Because we're allowing other brands and other institutions to participate, they can also tell their consumers that this is available on Sprint." Clearly, they are shooting for a win-win situation.
The story also pointed out how this effort may give Sprint an advantage in attracting new customers and compelling existing ones to upgrade to the tap--and--go handsets. Something they sorely need to do.
Details are sketchy as to when the program will start and what devices. It does appear that Sprint's approach will have purchases billed through a credit card instead of being added to the wireless bill.
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Source: Bloomberg News
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