MasterCard Pushing Mobile Payments On iPhone Using iCarte

MasterCard announced this week at MWC 2011 in Spain that it was set to push mobile wireless payments using a MasterCard account and a NFC payment solution that we have talked about before called iCarte for the iPhone. The last time we talked about iCarte was back in 2009 and the iCarte device now comes in two styles.

One of the devices simply plugs into the bottom of the iPhone to enable NFC and RFID while the other appears to be a slip on case that adds the same features. MasterCard has announced that it is going to be using the accessory in collaboration with Wireless Dynamics to make a NFC payment system for the iPhone.

MasterCard's PayPass tech will be put inside the iCarte to allow secure contactless payments. The iCarte was chosen because it allows for two-way communications and is able to interface with apps on the iPhone. The device will also allow reading of NFC posters and more. The program will be piloted in Singapore with DBS Bank for MasterCard PayPass cardholders using the FEVO Prepaid MasterCard that is issued from EZ-Link Pte Ltd.