Google plans UK ‘Wallet’ launch for 2012 Olympics
12 December, 2011
category: NFC
Google is looking to bring its contactless mobile payments service to the UK in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics, according to eWeek Europe.
Google Wallet, which enables customers to pay, redeem coupons and earn loyalty points all with a single tap of an NFC-enabled phone, could be tested in the UK as early as the first quarter of 2012. French newspaper Les Echos says the company is currently in talks with British banks, retailers and distributors.
Google isn’t the only service provider with its eye on the Olympics. In March, Samsung and Visa announced that they will launch an NFC-enabled handset specifically for the games, hoping to use the event as a springboard for a nationwide roll out later on.
In May, UK retail bank Lloyd’s TSB said it will join Visa and Samsung in the venture, enabling its customers to make contactless payments with the Olympics phone using their Lloyds accounts.
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