EPC Launches Public Consultation on Mobile Payments Whitepaper
The European Payments Council (EPC), representing the European banking industry in relation to payments, has published the second edition of its ‘Whitepaper on Mobile Payments’, which is now available for public consultation. The EPC encourages all single euro payments area (SEPA) stakeholders to provide feedback by 23 March 2012.
The EPC’s ‘Whitepaper on Mobile Payments’, which was first published in July 2010, presents an overview on mobile payments (m-payments) for SEPA. It focuses on the usage of the mobile channel for the initiation of SEPA payment instruments. The whitepaper also explores how m-payment services can be delivered through cooperation between service providers in the payment industry and players within the mobile ecosystem. It offers an informative read to any party interested in m-payments, and aims to foster a common understanding by using non-technical language.
This second edition describes mobile wallets at high level. In addition, the document has been updated to cover both contactless and remote m-payments. It analyses in particular use cases for mobile remote card and SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) payments.
M-payments are typically divided into two areas of activity: remote m-payments, where two parties are able to send and receive or exchange funds using the mobile channel, irrespective of where they are located; and contactless m-payments, where the mobile device needs to be ‘waved’ in close proximity to a point-of-sale terminal. The EPC aims to support the advancement of both types of m-payments to ensure the development of a sustainable infrastructure.
EPC chair Gerard Hartsink said: “The EPC, working together with all stakeholders active in the mobile payments ecosystem, is willing to contribute to the development of the necessary standards and business rules with regard to the initiation and receipt of SEPA payments by mobile. Our intention is to help establishing a framework, which enables potentially all payers and payees to make m-payments across the EEA, and creating a secure environment for the multiple stakeholders active in the field.”