By January next year, couriers, tradespeople, meal delivery services and other mobile business will be able to receive payment over New Zealand’s first dedicated data-based mobile EFTPOS system.
BellSouth has signed an agreement with terminal supplier Keycorp (NZ), to jointly develop and market a portable EFTPOS system that will run as a dedicated data service on BellSouth’s GSM Digital network. Keycorp will manufacture a range of small GSM EFTPOS terminals for hand-held and in-vehicle use.
BellSouth will provide direct wireless connection to the transaction processing centre. Currently under a 90-day development and trial period, the system should be ready for customers by the end of the year.
Keycorp managing director Ian Bailey says mobile EFTPOS is an almost untapped market, with more than 39,000 potential business customers. Transaction processing company ETSL says that more than 23 million EFTPOS transactions are handled each month in New Zealand, representing more than $10 billion a year.