The main goal of this agreement is to develop, deliver and deploy the very latest in mobile payments technologies, ensuring Orange customers inSpain benefit from the most advanced payment solutions, offering safety and security on the go.

"Thanks to this strong alliance we will be able to explore and provide the most suitable payment solutions, giving people acrossSpainthe chance to shop and make payments easily and safely, wherever and whenever they are", Pilar Aurrecoechea, MasterCard, Spain and Portugal, general director said.

Alicia Calvo, Orange Spain innovation director, affirmed that "this is a decisive step forOrangein our commitment to offer to our private and business customers the most innovative mobile payment solutions using several technologies for the different scenarios of electronic payments. The partnership betweenOrangeand MasterCard allows us to combine the best capabilities to fulfill this promise."

"By signing this partnership MasterCard is continuing to deliver on our vision of a world beyond cash by creating payment methods that are safe and simple to use for people and business", Aurrecoechea concluded.

MasterCard is a global leader in the development of innovative payment solutions using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for several years and is a leader in the safe mobile payment apps development. Along with banks, technological companies, cellular companies and smartphones manufacturers, MasterCard has already launched 25 mobile payment initiatives around the world over the last two years.

Orange is a global leader in the development of NFC solutions with trade launches already made inFrance, theUKandPoland, and with the most innovative experiences in pre-trade payments and transport inSpain.

It is estimated that in 2015, transactions through NFC technology will mean 74 billions dollars, and in 2016, 85% of the payment terminals will accept contactless payments.[1] 

[>[1] Juniper Research, 2012