highly secure - personal details are stored securely on the latest mobile SIM card and the details on the SIM card can be wiped remotely; and

choice of handsets - the service will initially be available on NFC-enabled smartphones from Samsung, Sony and HTC, with plans to expand the range rapidly in 2014.

Vodafone Wallet and Vodafone SmartPass will launch in Spain today, Germany mid-December and the Netherlands, UK and Italy in spring 2014. Vodafone is also working with major European banks to integrate their card portfolios into the wallet. Vodafone will announce further details in due course.

Christian Wirtz, Group mCommerce director, Vodafone, said: “The Vodafone Wallet offers our customers the speed, simplicity and convenience of managing everyday transactions with their smartphone. By building our service on the latest GlobalPlatform standard as opposed to a proprietary system, our mobile wallet is open to all third-party service providers, including banks and financial institutions, and we are focused on delivering the broadest service portfolio possible.”

Sandra Alzetta, Executive Director at Visa Europe, said: “We’re proud to be taking the mobile payments ecosystem a further step forward with the launch of the SmartPass app and accompanying microtag, the first fruits of our partnership with Vodafone. Customers across Europe will be able to make secure mobile contactless payments through the Visa prepaid card in the SmartPass service, as well as take advantage of the benefits offered by a truly open mobile wallet; backed by all the security, trust and acceptance the Visa brand represents.”

Vodafone SmartPass – the first available mobile payment service
Vodafone SmartPass allows customers to transfer funds to their mobile phone regardless of which bank they use, making it simple for them to make payments at any location with a Visa contactless terminal without getting their wallet or purse out. Customers can also check their balance, make higher value purchases of more than £20/€25 (limits vary by country) securely using a PIN as well as transfer funds securely to other SmartPass users.

Vodafone SmartPass offers customers a convenient and secure alternative to carrying cash with the added benefit of being able to keep track of their finances with real-time notifications and alerts as transactions are completed.

SmartPass Tag - for customers with non-compatible phones
If a customer does not have a NFC compatible smartphone, they can still use the mobile payment solution by downloading the Vodafone SmartPass app and applying for an ‘NFC tag’ that can be attached to their device. Customers can top up via the Vodafone SmartPass App and pay by tapping their phone at a point of sale. Customers with a feature phone can still use the tag but need to fund the account via a website.

Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD)