The four month pilot will see participants use PayPass Mobile Tag-equipped BlackBerrys to make purchases at any of the 8500 merchant locations in Canada that accept MasterCard's contactless technology.

The Mobile Tag is a self-adhesive device that is attached to the BlackBerry, containing the same chip and antenna found in a regular PayPass card.

In what the partners call a first, participants will receive a confirmation e-mail of each transaction sent to the phone, including purchase details such as the amount, retailer and date of transaction.

Scott Lapstra, VP, market development, MasterCard Canada, says: "Consumers have embraced mobile applications and we expect this new trial to have a significant impact on the way goods and services are paid for at the point of sale in the future."

David Heatherly, VP, payment products, BMO Bank of Montreal, adds: "This pilot will allow us to evaluate many aspects of the mobile payment experience and is an important step towards mainstream use and acceptance."