MasterCard launches MasterCard m-payment app in Hungary

MasterCard launched MasterCard Mobile, a m-payment application that enables Hungarian MasterCard cardholders to link their phone to their MasterCard bankcard in order to top-up, pay bills or make online payments using their phone. MasterCard partnered Telenor, Magyar Telekom, FHB Group and mobile payment systems maker Cellum to launch this service. The app is available to millions of Hungarian MasterCard cardholders, regardless of the operator or bank they use. MasterCard Mobile can be freely downloaded to mobile phones using iOS 4.0 (iPhone), Android 2.2 or above. For users who do not own mobile phones using one of these operation systems, the application can be used with Telenor Hungary and T-Mobile Hungary dynamic SIM handsets by downloading a SIM Toll Kit. This special SIM card can be obtained in operators' shops. Following the download and registration of the application, the bankcard needs to be registered. This process has a one time fee of HUF 99 (approximately EUR 0.35). Once registration has been completed, no card data or PIN needs to be typed in at each transaction. When paying by MasterCard Mobile, customers will not have to reveal their card number or the safety CVC code of the bankcard. Cardholders sign in with their mobile phone numbers or the identification code. Payment info received on the phone containing transaction data will be confirmed by giving a six-digit alphanumeric code (mPIN). This is an independent code, chosen by the user at the registration of the application and can be changed at any time. The code is not the same as the PIN code of the bankcard. MasterCard anticipates the continuous expansion of services available through the application. At present, Telenor and QR coded T-mobile and T-Home bills can be paid through the app. To help the expansion of the service, Magyar Telekom will put a QR code on each T-Home and T-Mobile cash advance bill. One way of paying bills is to take a photo of the QR code and initiate a transaction. Online shopping is currently possible in the web shops Bookline, Bonusz Brigad, Bortarsasag and GRoby. All MasterCard branded cards can be registered into MasterCard Mobile. In the near future, customers will also be able to use the application with their Maestro cards.