Rogers Communications wireless subscribers have a new way of paying for goods and services using certain smart phones.
The carrier said Friday it’s suretap wallet application is now available for Android and BlackBerry 10 handsets that include near-field communications capabilities (NFC), allowing users to hold their devices up to a wireless terminal the way they do with credit and debit cards.
The payment information and passcodes are stored on the wallet’s SIM card.
Payment by smart phones is another way in which carriers are fighting with — as well as partnering with — credit card companies for a slice of consumers’ mobile spending.
Eventually, some industry observers say, people will carry less in their pocket or purse wallets as smart phones become vehicles for spending and identification.
Subscribers can add multiple cards to their wallet as well as gift cards from Canadian food and drink merchants and retailers including Swiss Chalet, Milestones Grill and Bar, Montana’sCookhouse, Harvey’s, Kelsey’s, Indigo, Earls Restaurants, Ardene, and Spafinder Wellness 365. There’s also a Rogers Prepaid MasterCard that can be topped up with money for mobile payments
In the future, Rogers said, the suretap wallet application will offer more retailer gift cards, as well as store loyalty cards, coupons and ID cards.
Rogers says the advantage of customers buying through a smart phone wallet is that there are no additional fees to using the system beyond what they already pay.