Visa EU is extending its online authentication application Verified by Visa to the latest release of Nokia's virtual wallet for mobile handsets.
The new version of the wallet application, first introduced in the Nokia 6220 and Nokia 6600 phones, enables users to store a range of personal information, such as usernames and passwords for different mobile services, Visa payment card details, delivery addresses and personal notes.
The requisite data can be sent to the application over-the-air by service providers and card issuers or alternatively the consumers can manually enter data into the wallet. All the data in the wallet is encrypted and the application can be accessed only with a wallet PIN code.
Nokia believes the extension of Visa's password-based online authentication service to the mobile channel will further improve consumer confidence in the wallet and encourage increased uptake of the application.
"The latest technological advancements, such as high-quality colour displays and next generation XHTML browsers over TCP/IP, allow end-users to enjoy richer and more compelling graphical content and increased efficiency for large data files," says Kai Öistämö, SVP, mobile phones business unit, Nokia. "Together with the new wallet application, this will boost the consumer uptake of mobile browsing and purchasing. Working together with a global leader such as Visa gives us a great chance to further encourage Nokia phone users to use their devices also for mobile payments."
Modirum, a software company, has carried out extensive testing to ensure the compatibility of the wallet application and the Verified by Visa service.
Nokia and Visa are demonstrating the technology at the Mobile Commerce World Europe 2003 event, taking place in Excel, London on 23-24 September 2003.