By introducing its new NFC-enabled tap-to-pay ‘MobilePay’ feature, Norwegian-based company Vipps has become the world’s first alternative to Apple Pay for iPhone users.
The development follows Apple’s decision, prompted by EU competition regulations, to grant third-party payment apps access to the NFC technology on iPhones.
The latest innovation allows Vipps MobilePay users in Norway to tap their phones to pay at retail terminals, previously exclusive to Apple Pay on iPhones. The service is also compatible with Android devices, broadening its usability.
Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay, emphasized the significance of this move, calling it a hard-won battle against Apple’s previously closed system. He expressed excitement about the competitive landscape, which pits Vipps MobilePay against one of the world’s most recognized brands.
Vipps MobilePay integrates seamlessly with the national payment system, BankAxept, making it usable at nearly all card terminals in Norway. The service is designed for simplicity: users hold their phones near a payment terminal to complete transactions. It also supports setting Vipps as the default payment app, making the process even more intuitive on both iPhone and Android devices.
This development stems from a European Commission decision enforcing open competition in the digital wallet space. Apple had faced criticism for limiting NFC access to its own payment service. By complying with the EU mandate, Apple now allows other payment apps, such as Vipps MobilePay, to utilize the same NFC technology.
The rollout initially supports users of SpareBank 1, DNB, and more than 40 local banks in Norway, with plans to expand to Visa and Mastercard compatibility by summer 2025. This will enable international use, providing a global footprint for the service.
Vipps MobilePay plans to expand the tap-to-pay functionality to Denmark, Finland, and Sweden by 2025.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
So, it’s not enough to allow them to copy your tech solution, you are forced by law to open your platform to help them implement that imitation as their own. Great! So why innovate, if you are going to be required by law to help those who are ripping you off?