Telecomms operator O2 is to move into the mobile point of sale market through a deal in the Czech Republic with Germany's Wirecard.
The drive into the Czech POS market comes on the back of new rules requiring retailers in the country to conclude payment transactions online. Payment details are then forwarded to the national tax office where they are reviewed in order to avoid tax fraud.
O2 says it will offer local merchants a tablet based fiscal till system, dubbed eKasa, together with credit card payment transaction services.
Under the agreement with Wirecard, the German firm will act as the acquirer that processes all payment transactions, as well as the technical service provider which enables O2 to use the company's mPOS Software Developing Kit (SDK).
O2's advance into the payments business further demonstrates its determination to diversify beyond its roots as a pure-play telco. In May, the company's parent Telefonica concluded a deal with German direct bank Fidor to use its technical infrastructure and banking license to create a new digital bank in the country, dubbed O2 Banking.