In an effort to make mobile commerce a global reality, Visa has announced that it plans to deliver a suite of mobile payment-related services developed on Google’s Android platform by the end of the year for its U.S customers.
The Visa mobile applications developed for the Android platform will initially deliver three services that aim to make consumers lives easier, improve their ability to manage and protect their Visa accounts, and get valuable offers from merchants.
The services include: Visa mobile services developed for the Android platform include:
• Alerts: Consumers will receive near real-time notification of purchase activity based on customized cardholder preferences. The consumer will be able to personalize the types of alerts delivered to their mobile device according to pre-selected parameters, such as the size of the transaction, or whether the transaction is in foreign currency. Because these alerts are triggered by the transaction as it passes through the Visa network, consumers will receive notifications almost immediately, typically before they even leave the store. This adds a new layer of peace of mind when using Visa, and a new way to combat fraud.
• Offers: Consumers will receive targeted offers from merchants directly to their phone. These offers – ranging from discounts to loyalty offers – could be based on a consumer’s previous purchase activity. For consumers and merchants alike, this service will ensure the most relevant offers are sent in a timely manner, helping increase merchant traffic, loyalty and customer satisfaction.
• Locator: The Locator service is expected to integrate with technology developed by Google, such as Google Maps and Google location-based services, to show consumers nearby locations of merchants sending them offers, or of an ATM that accepts Visa. The location would be called out on a map displayed on the mobile device screen.
Consumers can enroll for Visa mobile services via their mobile device, and would “opt-in” to the services, so they would only activate those they choose, and would be able to “opt-out” at any time, helping to preserve their privacy.
In a statement released, Visa also said that it is currently developing a payment application that will enable consumers with Visa accounts to make mobile payments in retail locations nationwide, or while on the go, over wireless networks.
”By developing these mobile services for the Android platform, Visa has taken a major step toward achieving our goal of combining two of the world’s most powerful and ubiquitous consumer innovations, electronic payments and mobile technology,” said Elizabeth Buse, Global Head of Product at Visa Inc.
“Through this effort, U.S. consumers will, for the first time, be able to download Visa mobile service applications directly to their handsets. Visa cardholders have come to expect more from their Visa account than just convenience and security of payment, and wireless customers expect their mobile devices to carry a multitude of applications. Extending Visa payments and services to the mobile device is a natural extension, and makes the consumer payment experience more convenient, more secure and more rewarding.”
Over the last two years, Visa has actively engaged with financial institutions, wireless operators, handset manufacturers, and technology providers to develop and test innovative mobile services.
Visa is currently testing mobile payments, money transfer and value added services with consumers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.K., and the U.S. |
