Operators of the Belgian, Dutch and Spanish electronic purse schemes are to engage in a six-month cross-border interoperability pilot beginning early next year.
Announced at the annual Proton World Forum, the trials will involve using CEPS based (Common Electronic Purse Specifications) versions of existing e-purse smart cards including Belgian Proton cards, Dutch Chipknip cards, and Spanish Visa Cash cards.
Implemented in two phases, running from January to June 2001, cards will be issued initally to 400 staff members of Banksys, Cepsco Española, Europay International, Interpay Nederland, Proton World, and Visa International, before being offered to around 1000 existing e-purse card holders in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain.
The cards will be issued and cleared through existing domestic processes and loaded with real value euros. In both phases, cardholders will be able to load their cards and make purchases in their 'home' country and in the two 'foreign' countries.
The eventual aim is to make the cards as easy to use as euro notes and coins (which will enter circulation on 1 January 2002 in 11 countries), as well as when travelling abroad or for use over the internet.