Turkish wireless operator Turkcell has signed up local bank Yapı Kredi for the commercial launch of its contactless mobile wallet system.
The service, called Cep-T Cüzdan, requires users to swap their SIMs for an NFC-enabled one from Gemalto or to attach an antenna add-on to their handset to turn it into "credit card, a toll pass card, or even a concert ticket," says a statement.
The commercial launch comes after two years of development work and two pilots with banks. The user interface is designed for Java operating systems but support for other options is on the way.
Yapı Kredi is using the platform for its PayMobile service and is letting customers load their MasterCard branded credit cards to their NFC-enabled SIMs to make contactless transactions. There are over forty thousand terminals that accept MasterCard PayPass in Turkey.
A rival offering from MasterCard, Garanti Bank, Gemalto, and mobile phone provider Avea went live with their so-called 'BeaverTail' NFC antenna-equipped SIM card mobile payment service in December.
Separately, Indian giant Bharti Airtel has launched an m-commerce service in Chennai that will let customers pay bills, shop and make payments at over 750 merchants.
Customers will also be entitled to special discounts and schemes that will be applicable exclusively for transactions made through the Airtel Money scheme, according to local press reports.