Visa International today announced the availability of new tools and services based on its global contactless specification that can be used by vendors and member financial institutions interested in implementing new contactless payment programs.
"Visa introduced the global contactless specification last year, and we have been working to make sure the test tools and facilities, documentation, and an easy-to-use applet are available for members and vendors to bring new contactless programs to market quickly and efficiently," said Stephanie Ericksen, vice president of Product and Technology Integration, Visa International. "We hope to announce the first market implementations of the global specification soon."
In November 2005, Visa introduced its global contactless specification to enable seamless interoperability across markets while providing choice and flexibility for issuers to customize contactless programs for their markets. The specification also offers additional security features and enhanced performance for faster, safer transaction processing.
Since the global specification was released, Visa has been working with vendors and issuers to ensure that they have the tools needed to implement programs. Recently, Visa approved a new applet containing the Visa payment application, enabling vendors to use any GlobalPlatform card with the global contactless specification efficiently and without additional costly development. The applet is available from Visa for free under license to qualified card manufacturers.
Several test laboratories are approved to serve card and device manufacturers who are ready to submit new products based on the global specification, and test tools are available through a number of suppliers providing several choices for members and vendors. In addition, a new card product, which has already been evaluated and approved, is available to issuers now, paving the way for more vendors to offer competitive options for issuers.
Visa members also have access to documentation, such as implementation and technical guides, personalization tools, and development roadmaps, to help support new contactless programs.
Europe is expected to launch programs soon based on the new globalobal contactless specification, while regional Visa contactless programs are currently in the market in the U.S., Asia-Pacific and Latin America, with more than 6.5 million cards issued.