This partnership is based on the creation, implementation and operation of all technical mobile payment processes as well as issuing virtual and physical co-branded Visa cards. The Vodafone payment service will be rolled out internationally from this year.

"Wirecard is a highly competent technology partner to implement our mobile payment service," commented Dr. Christian Wirtz, Vodafone Group Director mCommerce, and continued: "We want to use our mobile wallet to offer customers contactless payments using their smartphones. We also attach great value to innovation for both our mobile offering and also for additional value-added services."

Markus Braun, Wirecard AG's CEO, commented: "We are very pleased to be supporting Vodafone as a technical service partner and also as the card-issuer. Telecommunications providers will become part of the payment process with mobile wallets. They will thus become key drivers in a paradigm shift through to a cash-free society."