Japanese mobile giant NTT DoCoMo has selected the Irish m-commerce software developer Network365 to provide a secure mobile payment service entitled DoCommerce for the company’s i-mode subscriber base.
The solution will enable i-mode subscribers to make payments from their mobile phones using a choice of payment options, credit management and secure access to virtual stores. Under the system developed by Network365, i-mode users will enter their personal details into their mobile device and use their mobile wallet to pay for goods and services.
Customers can personalise the service with a range of shipping addresses, payment methods, purchase history and other options. A personal code is used to unlock the user’s wallet and the payment and shipping details are passed seamlessly ands securely to the virtual store using a secure connection.
Ed Kountz, a senior analyst for Emerging Technology Solutions with TowerGroup USA called the deal “a clear endorsement” of the growth potential for mobile payments. “DoCoMo’s success in generating demand for digital content and services provides a strong foundation for introduction, using Network365’s proven suite of payments products, of a broader range of mobile purchasing and user-friendly payment options,” he added. In addition, Kountz called the deal an important and market-leading customer win for Network365.
Raomal Perera, founder and CEO of Network365 described the deal as an endorsement of the company’s technology and marked it as a leader in the Asia-Pacific mobile market. i-mode is regarded as the world’s most popular mobile internet services, which provides internet and email access to over 38 million subscribers and its FOMA service, launched in 2001, is the world’s first 3G mobile service, which is based on WCDMA high-speed wireless technology.
According to the World Wireless Forum, by 2006 Japan, the US, Germany and the UK will represent four of the largest mobile payment markets in the world. There will be more than 200 million regular mobile payment users spending a total of €47.2bn. In key markets, the total value of mobile payments is forecast to rise from €5.5bn in 2002 to €55.3bn in 2006.
By John Kennedy
