Telefonica is to run pilot tests of a combined mobile wallet and access control system for its global employee base using BlackBerry smartphones.
In collaboration with local banks and retailers, Telefonica will roll out the NFC-based Telefonica Wallet for BlackBerry to 350 employees at its headquarters in Distrito Telefonica, Spain.
Employees that are part of the NFC pilot project will also be able use their handsets to gain physical access to the Telefonica headquarters office.
Julio Linares, COO from Telefonica, says: "We have chosen the BlackBerry solution for this pilot because of the security that the platform brings. RIM's participation has been key for this pilot project, and we are now planning to extend the project to more and more Telefonica employees around the world."
Telefonica is undertaking a range of mobile wallet trials in key territories across Europe and Latin America. Earlier this week, the telco partnered with MasterCard to create a joint venture company to offer mobile financial services for 65 million Vivo consumers in Brazil.
Matthew Key, chairman & CEO Telefonica Digital, says: "Trials such as this are important to ensuring a great customer experience and we look forward to seeing the launch of commercial wallet services in several markets next year."