Chinese multinational conglomerate Huawei is moving to spur global adoption of its riposte to rival contactless payment services from Apple and Samsung with the first overseas roll-out of Huawei Pay in Russia.
First launched in China in August 2016, the entry of Huawei Pay into the Russian market follows a year-long co-operation agreement between Huawei and Chinese card company UnionPay aimed at spurring overseas adoption.
Available across a suite of Huawei smartphone models, the service emulates the likes of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, enabling users to upload their debit cards and tap their phones against a contactless terminal to effect a payment.
UnionPay credit and debit cards issued by Gazprombank and Russian Agricultural Bank will be the first to use Huawei Pay when the service goes liver in the first quarter.