FIME Certifies Qatar National Bank NFC Payments Solution
FIME, which provides testing services for smart devices and secure chip-based applications, has tested and certified Qatar National Bank’s (QNB) contactless mobile payments solution for its compliance to MasterCard PayPass specifications. The pilot project, which began roll-out in March this year, is Qatar’s first near field communication (NFC) payments initiative.
The contactless mobile payments programme provides QNB customers and merchants with a convenient and quick way to make and accept payments through the use of NFC-enabled handsets and point-of-sale (POS) contactless terminals. The mobile payments project is part of a phased implementation plan where QNB will work closely with project participants to deploy contactless POS terminals in Qatar’s leading NFC cities.
Abdulla Nasser Al Khalifa, assistant general manager retail at QNB, said: “Developing and launching a nationwide contactless mobile payment pilot required a multi-disciplinary approach due to the various stakeholders involved. Testing and certification was therefore vital in ensuring interoperability and standardisation. With its global experience and regional presence, we were keen to work with FIME to engage with the various stakeholders and ensure products could be confidently brought to market and form part of a trusted contactless mobile payments infrastructure.”