Halifaxis the latest bank to provide
customers withcontactless cardsto make micro
payments with 25,000 customers in London being sentVisa payWave cards.
These cards enable users to pay for goods worth up to £10
without the need to enter the card or Pin into card readers and can
be used in certain retail outlets. These include shops, petrol
stations, bars and restaurants around the City of London.
MasterCard also has a system known as
PayPass
The initial phase of the Halifax roll out is in London but it is
anticipated that the technology will be rolled out across the UK
from mid-2008.
Apacs estimates suggest that more than
5 million contactless cards will be issued by the end of 2008
and they will be accepted in at least 100,000 retailers.