A new system that lets customers use their mobile phones to log onto online banking accounts has been launched in Norway.
The system has been developed by the country's banks and telco Telenor as an extension of the BankID electronic identification and signature system for Web banking, with security data stored on handset SIM cards.
BankID was set up by the Norwegian banking industry to secure online customers through digital certificates and is used by 1.9 million people.
The new mobile phone-based system enables users to log on without the use of the code unit.
Currently, the system is only open to online customers of DnB Nor and Skandiabanken with mobile subscriptions to Telenor, although other banks and mobile operators are expected to offer the service in the future.
In addition, the BankID consortium says it aims to widen the scope of the system for use on e-commerce and auction sites.
Arne Skauge, MD, Norwegian Financial Services Association, says: "With BankID for mobile phones we are taking the development of the mobile phone as a distribution channel and payment tool a huge leap forward."