Komerční Banka and Visa Europe have announced they will be launching a commercial NFC payments in mid-2012.

The Czech service will be available to users of Apple’s iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S handsets and will work in conjunction with Wireless Dynamics’ iCarte NFC accessory, also used in Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Commbank Kaching NFC service, and a mobile app that users download onto their mobile phone.

Customers will be able to use their phone to make payments at any merchant that accepts Visa, in the Czech Republic or abroad, as well as use the app to check their transaction history.

Initially, there will be only limited numbers of iCarte accessories available, but Komerční Banka has big plans for NFC.

“This new service will be prepared not only for Komerční Banka’s current clients, who will have the opportunity to use an iCarte accessory to associate their existing current account with their iPhone, but also new clients who do not yet have a current account at Komerční Banka,” says Pavel Filipi, the banks’ head of marketing retail.

“Payments through the iCarte accessory work in the same way as conventional payment cards directly associated with the current account. Clients will therefore obtain a unique comprehensive mobile solution: Management of their bank accounts and fast contactless payments using an iPhone.”

The commercial launch follows a six month NFC pilot at Globus supermarkets which led to the retailer deciding to equip all its new stores with contactless point-of-sale terminals.

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